PETALING JAYA: Lower taxes, more affordable homes, cheaper food and better public transport are among the items on the wish list from Malaysians for Budget 2013.

The Finance Ministry received 84 memoranda from various groups, NGOs and individuals on proposals for the upcoming Budget as it started off its first of 18 focus group meetings last week.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai said among the popular requests was for lower individual and corporate tax, which he said would be considered.

“We are looking at the tax structure along with the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which should come into effect soon,” he said, adding that there were also requests for the Government to manage social problems caused by foreign workers.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers' Association (Fomca) highlighted five major issues in its memorandum.

They were related to food prices, the public transport system, healthcare, trade competition and crime in urban areas.

“To combat rising food prices, we want the Government to invest more in the agricultural sector.