Muhyiddin: No action on living cost, just 'hiring kids' policy so far

PARLIAMENT | After three months in power, the government has failed to introduce concrete plans to tackle the rising cost of living, according to former premier Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Bersatu president also took a sarcastic swipe at Anwar Ibrahim for appointing his daughter Nurul Izzah as a senior adviser, saying the prime minister had introduced a policy which allowed ministers to hire their children.

“Why was this policy introduced? It has nothing to do with the urgent needs of the rakyat at this point in time,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

Muhyiddin (Perikatan Nasional-Pagoh) also recalled Anwar’s previous statement that the government would unveil comprehensive steps to arrest the living cost within two weeks of taking office.

In his debate of the royal address, he said that instead of seeing ministers and the prime minister appointing their own children, the rakyat wanted to see the government working for them.

“What the rakyat expects is for the government to act, in terms of policies, initiatives, or interventions to increase their income.

“They also expect the government to channel aid to the needy and ensure the supply of basic necessities is sufficient and sold at a reasonable price,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

An example Muhyiddin gave was recent calls for the government to allow another round of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals.

Anwar had affirmed the government's decision to not allow another round of withdrawals, stating that it would negatively affect contributors who are retiring soon.

The premier assured that Putrajaya was looking at other ways to help ease the people’s financial burden without compromising their post-retirement survival.

Muhyiddin insists on EPF withdrawals

However, Muhyiddin opined that the government should consider it as it was what the public wanted.

“What is wrong with the government considering another round of targeted EPF withdrawals if that is the will of the people to help ease their burden in these difficult times?” he questioned.

“The same goes for loan moratoriums from banks. Banks continue to make profits even when the country is facing a crisis.

“So, what’s wrong if banks help the rakyat again by doing another targeted moratorium for a certain period to reduce their burden from inflation and overnight policy rate increase? The government doesn’t need to spend a single sen,” he said.

Muhyiddin’s administration allowed several rounds of EPF withdrawals during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, with his coalition also promising the public it would look into another round of targeted withdrawals if PN won GE15. - Mkini