Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob should not resort to hate politics by blaming migrants in justifying subsidy cuts, a group of PKR youths said.
They said Malaysia actually relies heavily on migrant labour, who are in a sense taxpayers, and deserve fair treatment.
"Jihad (struggle) against inflation, not against migrant workers.
"The Ismail Sabri-led government should stop resorting to tactics pitting Malaysians against migrant workers to hide the country's failure in keeping inflation under control," Lau Yi Leong, Mohd Fakharuddin and Suria Vengadesh said in a joint statement last night.
Putrajaya had, in an effort to address the rising cost of living, established an anti-inflation jihad task force.
Yesterday, Ismail Sabri justified cuts to chicken subsidies by saying that migrants, including Rohingya refugees, also benefited from it.
He said the government instead wants to help Malaysians directly, via Keluarga Malaysia Aid (BKM) cash transfers.
Irresponsible remarks
Lau, Fakahruddin and Suria said such a response from the prime minister was irresponsible.
They cited how the migrant workforce was heavily used in industries such as plantations, manufacturing, and construction - and that the government was seeking to bring in more foreign labour.
The trio - who are vying for positions in PKR Youth's central leadership committee - added that while migrants don't pay income tax, they do pay sales and services tax.
Hence, they said, the migrant workers deserve to live a dignified life while contributing to Malaysia's economic growth.
"Don't insult the intelligence of the people, as those who are smart would be more willing to allow migrant workers, who help us to develop our economy, to enjoy subsidies rather than have the savings through subsidy cuts be used to pay for salaries and allowances of ineffective ministers," the youth leaders added.
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