PUTRAJAYA (Oct 14): Malaysia needs leaders with vision who genuinely care about the people’s struggles, particularly those from low-income groups and workers who contribute to the country’s development, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Finance Minister said leaders must understand the challenges faced by the people, including padi farmers, taxi drivers, farmers and fishermen, while also addressing children’s schooling needs, the welfare of university students and whether lower-paid civil servants earn enough to make ends meet.

“The country needs leaders who are committed to delivering on their vision, not those who talk a lot, but those who understand the struggles of taxi drivers, farmers and fishermen, whether schoolchildren can afford their books, and whether university students have enough to eat.

“These are all things we, as leaders, must think about. We need to come up with various plans, and that is no easy task,” he said at the presentation of the special financial assistance to taxi and rental car drivers here on Wednesday.

Also present were Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Road Transport Department director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.

Anwar said the contributions of all segments of society should be valued and the government should not look down on any profession, including taxi drivers, who play a role in supporting the country’s economy and tourism industry.

“Everyone has a role to play. That is why, in the recent 2027 Budget, I said this was the right time for us to give back to the people in recognition of their contributions over the years,” he said.

He said most taxi drivers earned an honest living and deserved the government’s support and appreciation, adding that action should be taken against those who committed offences, provided there was evidence.

“But we should not condemn them all, because the majority work sincerely and earn an honest living. We must support and appreciate them,” he said.

Anwar stressed that the Madani Government would never deny the rights of any segment of society and would continue to recognise the contributions of all, including lower-income workers.

He said the government would continue to explore ways to ease the people’s financial burden through various forms of assistance, including increases in the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara).

Anwar also recalled the hardships he endured during the Reformasi movement in 1998, when taxi drivers were among those who stood firmly by him following his arrest and imprisonment.

“When I was going through difficult times, when I was kicked, beaten and detained, these were the people who helped me. Now that I am Prime Minister, how could I say no to taxi drivers asking for RM1,000?” he said.

He said he had never forgotten their support and believed their contributions deserved to be recognised, particularly when the government was in a position to return the country’s revenue to the people.

The inaugural handover ceremony saw 500 taxi, rental car and school bus drivers from the Central Zone receive the assistance. 

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