PAKATAN LEADERS MUST BE HUMBLE – NOT ASSUME THEY KNOW EVERYTHING: IN RARE REBUKE, ANWAR CALLS ON GOVT TO MANAGE RACIAL TIES & DELIVER ON MANIFESTO PROMISES

KUALA LUMPUR – Leaders can craft new policies, but must be prepared to accept limitations, according to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“The leaders are not supposed to assume that they know all, they must have the humility to reflect, listen and assess,” said Anwar, who is also Member of Parliament for Port Dickson, in his keynote speech at the Kingsley Strategic Institute (KSI) Malaysia Economic and Strategic Outlook Forum 2019 here today.

“We have seen in the past that the assumption that once you are a leader you can craft all agendas for the country. No, you must be prepared to accept limitations and to rely on some expertise,” he added.

He highlighted that the policies crafted have to be well understood by the people.

“We need to ensure that in this vibrant and democratic outlook, new policies must be well understood, not to be catered to small groups of members who would like to be seen as acceptable to the new urban elite thinking, but to ensure that the new policies are well crafted that they represent the aspirations and conscience of the majority,” said Anwar, adding that this is the new direction for the country to replace what he considers as obsolete race-based policies.

He noted that the majority of Malaysians have to grapple with quality education, quality public health and quality infrastructure — both in urban and rural areas.

“But because of our failure to articulate this vision, we still have to grapple with the views that represent the past suggesting that any attempt to introduce or shift the paradigm would mean disaster or impoverish a sector of our committee,” said Anwar.

Hence, he pointed to the need to embark on bold reforms, especially during this period when the economics value is made a challenge.

While the economy must move forward, Anwar said there is a need to support and provide all necessary incentives to ensure that Malaysia becomes an attractive destination for foreign direct investments.

“We are blessed in Malaysia, that through the free trade agreements of the past, we are able to generate so much interest and propel the growth of the economy,” said Anwar.

He, however, noted the need to also recognise the problem regarding the grinding poverty among those in Sabah and Sarawak, rural areas, Indian estate workers and the urban poor, noting that statistics have shown that the urban poor is a major problem that will affect the country in crafting its economic plan for the future.

On the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Plan by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad this morning, Anwar expressed that it is quite heartening that the premier is asserting in stronger terms the need to ensure that the anti-corruption drive not only deals with the excesses of the past, but also encompasses close scrutinity of the excesses of the present.

“The issue of good governance is central in this discourse. We can craft an impressive economic plan and you know there is no certainty that plans will work,” said Anwar.

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