KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 29): Putrajaya should revise the Budget 2016 and draw up a special economic blueprint to resolve the issue of high living costs, instead of telling people to take up two jobs, Lim Kit Siang said today.

The DAP parliamentary leader said at the rate the Cabinet was acting, they would very soon become comedians.

"Instead of ministers and deputy ministers doubling up as comedians, the government should come out with an economic blueprint to increase the people's productivity and income, which is what Najib's Budget 2016 had dismally failed to do," said Lim in a statement.

"Datuk Seri Najib Razak should take the opportunity of a special parliamentary session at the end of January to present a revised budget as well as a special economic blueprint for Malaysians to face to the hard and harsh new year."

Lim was responding to International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan who said the government encouraged people hold down two jobs to cope with higher cost of living.

Ahmad's suggestion courted scorn and criticism, and he later defended himself by saying he held three jobs as a deputy minister, Pontian MP and Umno information chief.

But that too, backfired. Local comedian Harith Iskander took a dig at Ahmad, posting via Facebook and Twitter that although he was a known as an emcee, writer and actor, among others, it did not mean he held so many jobs.

"When comedians like Harith Iskander pillory ministers not just on stage, but in the public domain, the stocks of ministers and deputy ministers have fallen to a new low," said Lim.

He said Harith was correct in saying that there was a difference between holding different jobs and different posts.

Lim added that, by Ahmad's definition, Najib held the most jobs in the country, given that he held two portfolios, was a MP, was the president of Umno and Barisan Nasional, and chairman of "countless government-related boards and commissions".

"Very soon, comedians like Harith would have to call it a day because ministers like Ahmad, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Paul Low and even Najib would have taken over their jobs." said Lim, referring to urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister and and minister in the Prime Minister's Department.