PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lambasted an opposition MP who had previously claimed that some elected representatives from Perikatan Nasional (PN) are from the B40 income group.
Speaking at the Finance Ministry monthly assembly in Putrajaya this morning, Anwar said the MP had made the claim in opposing the government’s efforts to introduce targeted subsidies and revamp the civil service pension scheme.
“There is one (opposition) MP who asked, why make these changes. When (the government wants to implement) targeted subsidies and change the pension system. He opposes it because (he says) there are MPs in the B40 (income group),” he was quoted as saying.
“What is he talking about? With salaries in the tens of thousands and allowances, (they are) still B40? What continent is this (opposition MP) from?”
On March 5, PAS’s Kuala Krai MP Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman had alleged that some PN elected representatives were classified as B40 due to the government’s refusal to allocate equal funds for opposition MPs.
Latiff said this forced them to use their salary and allowances to help their constituents.
Anwar said the claim was false but would still be accepted by supporters of the opposition coalition.
He also reiterated that policy changes such as targeted subsidies and a revamped pension scheme were necessary and were for the nation’s benefit.
No Raya open house
Meanwhile Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister said he will not host a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Seri Perdana this year, in a financial decision to save public funds.
He also advised government agencies not to be lavish in their Raya celebrations.
“I want to remind you here because sometimes we also forget. Like myself, I am a prime minister, and if I spend the government’s money, I think (it is not right) because it is not my own money,” he remarked.
“What is the point of rejecting my salary but I spend the government’s funds lavishly? So, to celebrate (Hari Raya), let’s not overdo it. Remember that this is the month of Ramadan when we should be reminded about the people in villages, the kids who cannot afford a comfortable life.
“If we can save money, we can channel it for the benefit of others. That is why I have decided that this year, I will not host a big event.
“Enough for me just to attend ministries programmes, so it won’t add up to the government’s spending like hosting a massive open house at Seri Perdana.”
This would be the second time Anwar decided not to host the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Seri Perdana since he became the prime minister in December 2022.
It has been a practice by previous prime ministers to host Hari Raya open houses for the public at their official residence. – April 2, 2024
Main pic credit: Bernama
