The people must be ready to accept reforms, says Anwar

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government is carrying out reforms by providing benefits to the less fortunate.

SHAH ALAM: Any promised reforms by the government must be implemented carefully to ensure the people are prepared to embrace the changes, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the government must not be hasty in implementing reforms as it needs to consider the repercussions of the changes that are made.

Anwar, who is also the PKR president, said there is a lesson to be learnt from what took place in France in the 18th century after the French Revolution, when the people’s living conditions became worse because of the radical changes made by the new leaders.

“Therefore, we should not hastily fulfil the desires of the elite without considering the political implications, stability, and the repercussions of such changes.

“There is a major disconnect between the idea of immediate change and the readiness of the people,” he said at PKR’s 25th anniversary special convention at the Ideal Convention Centre here today.

The Pakatan Harapan chairman said the government was implementing various reforms, including reviewing the remuneration for civil servants, restructuring the electricity subsidy, and efforts to combat corruption.

He said the savings from various initiatives was being used to help the less fortunate by increasing the Rahmah cash aid (STR) allocation in 2024 to RM10 billion from RM8 billion, previously.

“This is what is meant by reform, reform in the sense of providing benefits to the lower class, the poor, plantation workers, fishermen in villages, smallholders, Indians in estates, and civil servants,” he said.

In defending the government’s plan to restructure the electricity, petrol and diesel subsidies, Anwar said letting the rich and foreigners enjoy the benefits was considered an unwise move.

He said a cash transfer would be provided to the B40 and M40 by the government if the price of fuel increased depending on their monthly usage.

“For decades, it’s (fuel subsidy) been discussed and the (past) government had agreed but did not implement it.

“This government dares (to review the subsidies) to save our country’s economy, we bear the losses suffered by the people, to resolve their problems. This is reform and responsible leadership,” he said.

Yesterday, the unity government was warned that failing to deliver on its promised reforms will drive away fence-sitters in the 16th general election.

Projek Sama spokesman Thomas Fann said the people have started to become disheartened over the lack of substantial legislative reforms, more than a year since the unity government took over Putrajaya.

He said frustration, especially among PH supporters, would possibly cause them to sit out GE16, or even back extremist leaders offering populist promises. - FMT