Anwar defends Rafizi over boycott comments

 

Anwar Ibrahim said the current crop of ministers are better than those of the previous government.

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Anwar Ibrahim has come to the defence of economic affairs minister Rafizi Ramli who had been criticised for saying customers should boycott food outlets that charged unreasonable prices.

The prime minister said that his government had placed priority on ensuring adequate food supplies. “We are paying attention to supporting chicken, eggs and vegetable producers,” he said.

Anwar said this in response to former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s reprimand of Rafizi. Ismail had argued that boycotts would burden the restaurants and did not help the public.

Ismail had said that if restaurant operators are buying raw materials at a high cost, the government must ensure these prices are reduced to help them sell food at an affordable price to benefit the public.

Anwar went on to declare that the current crop of ministers were much better performers when compared to those in the previous government. “The current (ministers) are more hardworking.”

Penang sidelined in federal allocations

Anwar, who is also the finance minister said that he will consider increasing federal allocations for Penang, despite “obstacles in terms of government’s expenditure and revenue”.

He agreed that Penang has been sidelined by Putrajaya with lower allocation despite being one of the top contributors to the federal coffers.

“It is just that for Penang, the allocation is more for huge infrastructure (projects), while in the case of Sabah and Sarawak, it is more for small infrastructure projects, public housing, hospitals and dilapidated schools.”

State leaders in Penang have often asked for an increase in federal allocations to Penang, in line with the tax revenues derived from the state.

Anwar to ignore ‘antics of certain parties’

Anwar said his government would continue to focus on carrying out its responsibilities and trust despite the “antics of certain parties” in disputing the policies being implemented.

He did not specify which party he meant. However, he said the government had a lot of work to focus on to help the people instead of entertaining the antics of the parties involved.

“No need for us to entertain their antics,” he said, describing them as a problem of politicians “who do not know why we fight and lead”, Bernama reported.

Anwar said government leaders need to set a good example and stop actions that can destroy the country.

He said the current team of Cabinet members was better than those of the previous government.

“I said to reduce salary, we reduced it. I said to be thrifty, we are thrifty,” he said. - FMT