Anwar rues ‘strong’ hate politics, being insulted for ‘everything’

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Hate politics would not stop government from doing its job.

  • Government remains resolute despite facing criticism for unpopular decisions such as implementing targeted diesel subsidy and taking strict measures against corruption
  • Government giving priority to revitalising economic growth in order to expand its size and put the economy back on the right track

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lamented hate politics in the country which he said was “too strong”.

However, Anwar said it would not stop the government from doing its job.

“I tell you, it is not easy. The hate politics is too strong in this country,” he said in a speech at the Finance Ministry’s monthly assembly.

“I don’t take a salary, I get insulted. When we are firm in our fight against corruption, I get insulted.

Bernama

“I have a good relationship with Hamas, I get insulted, and on the BlackRock issue, I am accused of being an Israeli agent.”

Anwar said all the facts were being completely ignored and that hatred was being sowed.

“But should it bother us? Not at all,” he said.

He stressed that the Madani government remains resolute despite facing criticism for unpopular decisions such as implementing targeted diesel subsidy and taking strict measures against corruption.

The Prime Minister said the move was crucial to strengthen the country’s economic foundation as the country’s revenue was wasted and subsidies were not channelled to the target groups.

Anwar highlighted the necessity of targeted diesel subsidy due to longstanding issues of fuel smuggling, which diverted the subsidy meant for Malaysians to other countries.

“We cannot disregard the people’s concerns. Therefore, the savings garnered must be returned to the people.

“This necessitates our commitment to providing clarifications, even amid challenges,” he said.

Later, in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said that the government is giving priority to revitalising economic growth in order to expand its size and put the economy back on the right track.

He said economic structural reforms are being actively implemented to speed up the transition towards becoming a high-income nation in line with the Madani Economy goal for the country to become an Asian economic leader.

“This target will only be achieved if the economy grows at a rate of 5.0 per cent to 6.0 per cent per year in the next 10 years,” he said in a written reply to Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman’s (PN-Bachok) question about the government’s detailed plan to place Malaysia among the world’s 30 largest economies, which is one of the seven goals to be achieved in the Madani Economy Narrative.

Anwar said that efforts to increase economic growth will be supported by the implementation of initiatives outlined in the Mid-Term Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan, the National Energy Transition Roadmap, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and Budget 2024 to maximise the country’s economic growth potentials.

Additionally, he said the focus was also on attracting more quality and advanced technology-based investments in high-growth and high-value industries to encourage the development of complex products and services and create skilled and high-income jobs.

“Companies will be encouraged to increase investments in the acquisition of machinery and equipment to expand capacity and productivity and invest in advanced technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and big data analytics.

“They will also be encouraged to intensify green investments in business operations and premises, including for the development and use of renewable energy sources,” he said.

He said the government will also facilitate ways to increase the involvement of higher education institutions, research institutes and the private sector to accelerate research, development, commercialisation and innovation activities.