Pawn shop queues prove nothing much changed in a decade, says Anwar

The long queues at pawn shops after the government relaxed the movement control order (MCO) proves that the nation's economic and social sectors have not witnessed significant growth in the past decade, according to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

“This is the proof,” he said in a livestream on Facebook today.

“It has only been a month of crisis, and not only the B40 (low-income group) but the M40 (middle-income group) are also lining up (at pawn shops).

“This means the manner in which we handle the country and economy needs to change,” Anwar (photo) added.

The former finance minister claimed that the current finance minister is dishing out “enticing numbers” and predicting economic growth next year.

“So quick to come up with propaganda. But the lines are long outside pawn shops,” he pointed out.

It was reported yesterday that pawn shops all over the country had long queues on the first day of the conditional MCO.

A check by Malaysiakini revealed similar scenes in Petaling Jaya. One particular shop had about 30 customers waiting to enter.

Freeman Tan, who operates a “Pajaking” branch in PJ Old Town, had said most customers were pawning gold for cash.

He added that most of his customers were low-income earners whose livelihood was affected during the MCO period.

Meanwhile, Anwar claimed someone in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government purportedly said the MCO was relaxed so that people could go to pawn shops.

“If I call this person an idiot, people would say I am being harsh. (But) this is the view of someone who is touted as a smart person.

“(They) want to defend (the government but) there is no humaneness at all,” he added.

Urging those in power to be more considerate toward the plight of the poor, Anwar said some are forced to pawn their wedding jewellery and so on out of desperation.

“Do not link this to 'this is why we loosened the MCO restrictions'. This narrative needs to change. These people (in power) have no heart and no humanity,” he added. - Mkini