“Prior to the 15th general election, Pakatan Harapan gave the impression that it could resolve the issue of food supply, particularly the supply of chicken and eggs, almost immediately after taking over government”
Raggie Jessy Rithaudeen
انم سبب كناڤ كممڤوان انور سباڬاي ڤردان منتري دڤرسؤالكن
UNTUK BERITA TERKINI, SERTAI TELEGRAM TTF DI SINI
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was appointed Prime Minister on the 24th of November 2022, meaning, it has been a little over six weeks since he assumed office.
But is his premiership legit, and has he done anything to allay fears that he isn’t capable of solving the food crisis and bringing the country’s economy about?
Here are some key reasons why Anwar’s premiership is questionable:
1. On the 26th of November 2022, just two days after being appointed Prime Minister, Anwar gave two weeks to relevant ministries and agencies to analyse issues related to subsidies involving the rakyat.
This, he said, was necessary as the subsidy provided at the moment was not targeted and was also enjoyed by those who were rich, as well as industry players.
Four days after the deadline, Anwar instructed all government departments to formulate and develop suitable measures to implement targeted subsidies by taking into consideration the interests of consumers and the industries.
Anwar said Malaysia would start reducing power subsidies for large businesses and multinational corporations, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said, as the government looks to channel spending toward the needy.
It’s been almost a month since all that happened, but nothing has come of it – no policies, no blueprints, no plans of action – nothing.
Anwar also did not reveal what the various ministries and agencies discovered when analysing issues related to subsidies involving the rakyat.
Why the delay?
2. On the 15th of December 2022, Anwar gave his assurances that he would work hard to ensure that efforts to reform the economic structure will be embodied properly and accordingly to galvanise growth and strengthen the country’s core economies.
“Attracting quality investments, shifting, moving to a low carbon economy, elevating social protection, enhancing fiscal durability will be among some of the approaches and initiatives that will be taken,” he said.
It’s been almost a month since Anwar made that claim, but yet again, nothing has come of it – no policies, no blueprints, no plans of action – nothing.
3. On the 27th of November 2022, at a press conference, Anwar thanked the industries for providing a sufficient supply of eggs in the market.
However, there wasn’t a sufficient supply as claimed, and the prices of eggs were very high.
Then, on the 5th of December 2022, Anwar said the Agriculture and Food Security Minister ,Mohamad Sabu, would be announcing the new lower price of eggs.
The next day, Mohamad revealed that Putrajaya had agreed to import chicken eggs from several foreign sources as a short-term solution to meet domestic demand.
However, the problem was never resolved, and today, almost six weeks later, the issue of egg shortage lingers on.
In some areas, the prices of eggs did not decrease, but increased.
Prior to the 15th general election, Pakatan Harapan gave the impression that it could resolve the issue of food supply, particularly the supply of chicken and eggs, almost immediately after taking over government.
But obviously, Pakatan Harapan is not able to administer the ‘miracle cure’ it promised.
Question is, was the party paying lip service to rake in the votes?
Rafizi Ramli even had the cheek to say that food and beverages would continue to be sold at inflated rates as long as consumers keep choosing to support businesses that set exorbitant prices for their goods.
In other words, he focused on blaming “consumer attitudes,” not the attitudes of suppliers, middlemen and cartels that might be inflating prices for short term gains to take advantage of shortages in supply.
Way to go Rafizi – blame it on the people who are already suffering.
Was it not Anwar who promised to abolish cartels?
4. Prior to the 15th general election, Anwar promised to combat corruption and strengthen the democratic institution.
However, after he was appointed Prime Minister, he went ahead and nominated a man with 47 criminal charges as his deputy.
A new way to combat corruption?
5. Anwar lacked majority support when he was appointed Prime Minister.
As a result, it was necessary for him to trigger a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat to validate his premiership.
However, days before voting, Anwar entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with several party leaders to compel Members of Parliament associated with those parties to support him.
The MoU was unconstitutional, and it even falsely alleged that the Members of Parliament would have to vacate their seats in the Dewan Rakyat should they fail to support him.
This effectively turned the MoU into a threat, and although Anwar won the vote of confidence via a voice vote, the validity of his premiership is as yet open to debate.
