Taxing taste of Malaysian politics

Borneo Post

21-06-2025

PM Anwar shared this image of himself pushing a wheelbarrow, captioned 'New Year Clean-up' in ushering in 2025. The photo was widely welcomed by Malaysians, many interpreting it as a hopeful metaphor for a national reset. Yet as SST kicks in, some wonder: will the clean-up go beyond optics – down to the kitchen table? — Photo from Facebook
MALAYSIAN politics has certainly entered a new flavour spectrum with the words of politicians not about budget, economy or investment but about what's on our meal plates.
Acting Muda president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz recently whipped out a storm by comparing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's supposed love for avocado toast to Najib Razak's infamous switch from rice to quinoa.
When 'kolo mee', 'roti canai' and 'nasi lemak' are breakfast of the people (despite rising prices), bringing up avocados and quinoa of the present prime minister and a former one, respectively, which are out-of-touch with everyday Malaysia, seems like a strategic move of Muda.
It speaks to how political branding now happens not in speeches or slogans, but in what leaders are seen eating, wearing, or doing on a holiday.
But let's unpack this properly – before someone throws a durian into the batter.
The timing of Muda's food commentary was not accidental.
It came just as the government announced the expansion of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) scheduled to take effect this July 1 with the imposition of five per cent to 10 per cent sales tax on selected non-essential goods and broaden the service tax to include services such as rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education, and beauty.
For many urban middle-class Malaysians, this tax hike stings.
Expanded sales tax includes imported fruits; thus, avocado being considered imported goods was uttered by Anwar: 'If the rich want to eat avocados, then they will need to pay a little more.'
So what better way to channel discontent than by framing it as a class issue?
Muda's avocado analogy may seem like harmless satire, but it taps into a deeper frustration – that leaders may be preaching belt-tightening while they are enjoying imported produce.
Whether or not Anwar actually had avocado toast is beside the point. The image has taken root. And in politics, perception is often more powerful than fact.
Najib's quinoa moment in 2018 became a national punchline.
For a leader under scrutiny for corruption and excess, his choice of a trendy, protein-packed South-American grain, instead of humble rice, was the icing on a chocolate cake.
In contrast, Anwar's 'avocado' is not being mocked as luxurious, but to signal detachment from the people.
The narrative is 'the Prime Minister does not know the suffering of the people'.
This shift is unfavourable to the Madani Government. It shows that younger politicians are now savvier in using cultural signals such as food, fashion and fitness routines to frame their critiques.
But it also raises a key question – is this fair game?
Both avocado and quinoa are dear to me – not as symbols of elitism, but out of necessity and circumstance.
Back when Najib's quinoa quote made headlines, I was struggling with gluten intolerance.
I had to replace wheat with quinoa. It was not about being trendy; it was about survival.
For two years, quinoa — pricey as it was — became part of my daily diet until, thankfully, I could slowly reintroduce wheat without discomfort.
As for avocados, they were not always this high-end item that you now find on café menus with microgreens and olive oil.
When I was stationed in Sabah, avocados were so abundant and cheap, I could have avocado toast at any time I wanted without it costing me more than a regular breakfast.
In fact, Sabah grows them and in recent years, Sarawak does too.
After all, it is a superfood and many lower income groups could afford locally produced avocado.
Ironically, Anwar may have picked a food that is not elitist at all — just under-appreciated local produce.
That's where I find him a little naïve. He could have used his breakfast moment to celebrate Malaysian farmers and promote food security – not unwittingly serving himself on a silver platter for social media roast.
Quoting Prof Dr Ramasamy: 'At least he should have gone one step further by urging Malaysian farmers to plant avocado trees to bring down the imported fruit.
'I am sure his buddy Mohammed Sabu, the Minister of Agriculture, might welcome it especially coming from the Prime Minister.'
Muda's strategy could be seen as clever youth-oriented political branding.
In a crowded opposition landscape, they need to be louder and fresher.
But surely Muda, a party built on reform and ideas resorting to comparing grocery lists risks appearing superficial.
More importantly, it shifts the focus from policy to personality.
The expanded SST, for instance, deserves serious scrutiny.
Is it a fair way to broaden the tax base?
Will the government ensure these revenues are channelled into healthcare, education, and cost-of-living relief?
Could exemptions be refined to protect vulnerable groups?
These are the questions worth debating – not whether Anwar spreads avocado over its breakfast toast.
Likewise, when Opposition leaders resort to metaphors instead of manifestos, we must ask – where's your alternative policy?
What would Muda do differently on SST, tax reform, or public spending?
In the end, it is not what our leaders eat that should matter most – it is what they serve us.
If Anwar's policies can stabilise the economy, lower inflation, and protect the poor, then let him enjoy his avocado.
If Najib's quinoa came with billion-ringgit scandals, then no amount of quinoa can redeem that taste.
And if Muda can only offer critiques based on food preferences, then perhaps it is time for them to go back to the kitchen – and cook up better policies.
Because for most Malaysians, the question remains simple – can I still afford breakfast next month? anwar ibrahim cost of living economy Madani malaysia SST tax