MOF: Irwan did not say laziness led Malaysians to end up in poverty

Treasury secretary-general Irwan Serigar Abdullah did not say that laziness caused Malaysians to end up in poverty, said the Finance Ministry (MOF).

"He never made the statement that poverty in Malaysia was caused by laziness.

"On the contrary, he stressed to the participants of 1MET (1Malaysia Entrepreneurship) to adopt a positive attitude so that they can improve and be resilient in business," the ministry said in a parliamentary reply today.

"They were also urged to grab the numerous business opportunities in the country," it added, responding to Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Gelang Patah) who asked about Irwan's remark.

"I urge the finance minister to state whether the view of the secretary-general that poverty faced by Malaysians was the result of laziness is the actual stand of the BN government," said Lim.

When attending the 1MET graduation day on Sept 28, Irwan had said there is no reason that Malaysians should be poor, because there are plenty of opportunities for them to be well-off.

"When some say Malaysia's economy is lagging behind, the people are poor, they’re wrong.

“We are not like debt-ridden Bangladesh and we are not like the Philippines. They (those who say Malaysia is poor) are confusing the rakyat," he added.

Irwan also claimed that those who are poor are in situations of their own making.- Mkini