Anwar lambasts leaders who 'fool the people'

Friday 09 Jun 2023

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SHAH ALAM (March 18): The people, especially the Malays, should not be fooled any longer by leaders who claim to fight for their rights, but at the same time go on to amass wealth, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

The PM pointed out that under his leadership, the rights and positions of the Malays and Bumiputeras, as well as the other races, are more secure now.

“There is someone now, who after 22 years and 22 months of being in power, is lamenting about Malays losing everything, losing assets, shares. How not to, when you have amassed them for yourself, your family and your children? And then when you have lost power, you speak about [issues concerning] the people.

“Do not fool the people. The people must rise and fight for their rights. Gather them…and watch…the Tan Sri, the big tycoons...these few people are now planning to disrupt things using racial sentiments, inciting the Malays to hate the other races, using the loss of power [narrative].

“You were the government for three years recently. Where was the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355)? Where were the plans to increase funding for Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah?” Anwar asked here on Saturday (March 18).

The PKR president said this while delivering his policy speech at the 2023 PKR Special National Congress, themed "Malaysia Madani, Implementation of Idealism" at the Malawati Stadium here.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister and the Pakatan Harapan coalition chairman, said that through the unity government, Budget 2023 presented on Feb 24 increased funding for Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah, and even more for Sabah and Sarawak, since the two latter states were lagging behind in many areas.

“Please be cautious. Patriotism, racism, and religious bigotry combined is the last refuge of the scoundrels. When you lose power, when challenged, when you are fearful of the MACC (the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) and the Inland Revenue Board coming down hard, you are worth billions, but you don’t pay your taxes, [and instead] you move your wealth abroad. What sort of PM should I be then?

“I would be stupid to let this go on while collecting taxes from the people. I will collect taxes from the rakyat, but I will not allow the tycoons and rich companies to evade paying taxes,” he said.

The PM, meanwhile, reminded leaders not to play up racial sentiments, which he said would only cause the people and the nation to lose out.

“I want to stress here not to play up racial sentiments, because the ones who will be burnt are the people. You [on the other hand] will fly off in your private jets.

“What do you think have we been doing the last four months? Have we made sacrifices in matters concerning language, religion and the rights of the Malays? Malay and Bumiputera rights are more secure now under us,” he said.

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