FORMER economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has drawn parallels between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s welfare policies and those of former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying current assistance schemes are a continuation of Najib’s BR1M programme.
“Assistance programmes such as the Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara) and Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) need to be institutionalised in the same way done in other welfare states and not be used as political capital by the government,” Rafizi said on his Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast.
He added that “up to now, STR or Sara is still seen as a continuation of the old BR1M, and later, if the government changes, it becomes something else, not STR or Sara.”
Najib, who is currently serving a prison sentence for his role in the global 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, introduced BR1M during his premiership as part of his populist economic strategy.
Rafizi said cash assistance should instead be a permanent social policy: “If it’s institutionalised for those who qualify, the government pays every month.”
He also criticised Anwar’s decision to have teachers distribute RM150 in school aid directly to parents, calling it “a step backwards” and an unnecessary burden on educators.
Meanwhile, he said the government should prioritise recovering the RM41bil owed to PTPTN.
“The RM41bil PTPTN debt problem hasn’t been resolved yet. It’s like taking money from the left pocket to the right pocket.. if we’re not careful, PTPTN’s existing problems will escalate further.
“I favour a thorough approach…otherwise it’s merely cosmetic or a populist announcement. That’s what we’re worried about with PTPTN,” Rafizi added. — Oct 11, 2025
