Deputy Home minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed

JOHOR BARU: The high cost of living affecting most urbanites in the city should be on the agenda in next year’s budget, said Pulai MP Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

Nur Jazlan said he hoped the Government would address this matter as this was the feedback received following meetings with residents in the constituency.

“Most of them said they cannot cope with the escalating prices of essential goods in recent years,” he said after having breakfast with Taman Kobena residents here.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to table Budget 2018 in Parliament on Oct 27.

“Unlike the seniors who have paid up their housing and car loans, young families and singles are bogged down with such loans,” added Nur Jazlan.

He said a big chunk of their salary would be used to service housing and car loans, leaving them with only a minimum amount of money for family expenditure.

Nur Jazlan said many young families and singles living in urban areas were forced to hold more than one job or resort to online businesses to supplement their household income.

“Sometimes, you have to be creative and innovative.

“You cannot depend on one job to keep going,” he said.

On another matter, Nur Jalzan who is also Deputy Home Minister, advised non-governmental organisations (NGO) from directly exposing gang-related crime.

He said some NGOs made allegations on social media on gang-related activities in the country without concrete evidence to support their claims.

“You should come forward to us (the police) with evidence if you know of any gang-related crimes taking place,” said Nur Jalzan.