Latest news with #2025NationalMonth
Asia News Network
a day ago
- Business
- Asia News Network
Government working to reduce national debt: Malaysia PM Anwar
July 28, 2025 MUAR – The government is working to reduce the national debt and avoid unnecessary loans to spare future generations, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said that while borrowing for development was sometimes necessary, the country must not continue racking up debt irresponsibly. 'Our debt is still high. If we don't pay it back, then who will want to invest in us? 'We want to bring the debt level down and avoid adding new loans because in the end, the ones who will pay for it are our children,' he said during the launch of the 2025 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign at Dataran Tanjung Emas here yesterday. Anwar also slammed critics who accused his administration of allowing the debt to increase. 'They don't understand. We took a new loan of RM100bil in 2022 to repay earlier borrowings and their interests. 'In 2023, it went down to RM90bil. This year, it is RM80bil. We are reducing it gradually,' he said. Anwar added that he understood when past leaders like Tun Abdul Razak borrowed from the World Bank to set up the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and for rural development. 'If it's that kind of debt, I accept it. 'But if we're talking about taking loans to 'sakau' (plunder), that is what we are fighting against now,' he said, adding that the people should elect leaders who do not plunder the country's wealth for personal or family gain. He cited the example of a former leader's family member allegedly having RM1.2bil and another with RM4bil. 'I am not vengeful or going after old people. I just want the people's money to be returned,' Anwar added. He said that while the government does not dismiss the policies of previous leaders, there were weaknesses that needed to be addressed. 'My colleagues and I in the Cabinet are working to improve past weaknesses, whether it's attitude, leadership, or the abuse of power for personal or family gain,' he added. Separately, Anwar defended the government's decision to reduce petrol prices for Malaysians while requiring foreigners to pay market rates, saying he was 'Prime Minister for Malaysians, not for foreigners'. He said critics had claimed the move was unfair to foreigners, arguing that they also contributed to the country. 'They do not pay income tax here. No country in the world will allow foreigners to enjoy such benefits as locals,' he added. Anwar said that the six sen reduction to RM1.99 would make petrol prices in Malaysia much lower than Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. 'Foreigners can buy petrol at RM2.50 or RM2.60,' he said.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
'Muar pick a recognition of Johor's contributions to the nation'
MUAR: Muar being chosen as the venue for the 2025 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign launch is a recognition of Johor's contributions to the nation. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi described the choice as "no coincidence", saying Muar was the cradle of Malaysia's independence movement. "This is not merely a launch venue. It is a symbol of honour, a tribute to Johor's deep-rooted spirit of patriotism and nationhood," said Onn Hafiz yesterday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the event at Dataran Tanjung Emas. Also present was Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Onn Hafiz expressed his gratitude to the prime minister and federal administration for choosing Johor, saying the decision reflected mutual trust and a renewed synergy between federal and state governments. He welcomed key federal announcements, including the new RM1,700 minimum wage, reduced RON95 petrol price and expanded Rahmah Madani sales, as concrete steps towards easing the people's burdens. "Real freedom isn't just about being rid of colonisers. It means escaping poverty, coping with living costs and living with dignity in our own land," he said, adding that the theme "Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni" (Protecting the People's Welfare) resonated with Johoreans. Onn Hafiz said Johor secured RM30.1 billion in approved investments in the first quarter. "The state's gross domestic product grew 6.4 per cent last year, surpassing the national average. "These are not just numbers. They reflect Johor's status as not only the economic driver of the south, but one of the key engines of national growth," he added.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Anwar: Govt reducing national debt
PM says nation must not burden future generations MUAR: The government is working to reduce the national debt and avoid unnecessary loans to spare future generations, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said that while borrowing for development was sometimes necessary, the country must not continue racking up debt irresponsibly. 'Our debt is still high. If we don't pay it back, then who will want to invest in us? 'We want to bring the debt level down and avoid adding new loans because in the end, the ones who will pay for it are our children,' he said during the launch of the 2025 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign at Dataran Tanjung Emas here yesterday. Anwar also slammed critics who accused his administration of allowing the debt to increase. 'They don't understand. We took a new loan of RM100bil in 2022 to repay earlier borrowings and their interests. 'In 2023, it went down to RM90bil. This year, it is RM80bil. We are reducing it gradually,' he said. Anwar added that he understood when past leaders like Tun Abdul Razak borrowed from the World Bank to set up the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and for rural development. 'If it's that kind of debt, I accept it. 'But if we're talking about taking loans to 'sakau' (plunder), that is what we are fighting against now,' he said, adding that the people should elect leaders who do not plunder the country's wealth for personal or family gain. He cited the example of a former leader's family member allegedly having RM1.2bil and another with RM4bil. 'I am not vengeful or going after old people. I just want the people's money to be returned,' Anwar added. He said that while the government does not dismiss the policies of previous leaders, there were weaknesses that needed to be addressed. 'My colleagues and I in the Cabinet are working to improve past weaknesses, whether it's attitude, leadership, or the abuse of power for personal or family gain,' he added. Separately, Anwar defended the government's decision to reduce petrol prices for Malaysians while requiring foreigners to pay market rates, saying he was 'Prime Minister for Malaysians, not for foreigners'. He said critics had claimed the move was unfair to foreigners, arguing that they also contributed to the country. 'They do not pay income tax here. No country in the world will allow foreigners to enjoy such benefits as locals,' he added. Anwar said that the six sen reduction to RM1.99 would make petrol prices in Malaysia much lower than Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. 'Foreigners can buy petrol at RM2.50 or RM2.60,' he said.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
PM: Federal govt to empower JS-SEZ
MUAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to strengthening the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and boosting Johor's development as a strategic national gateway. He said establishing the JS-SEZ will accelerate state investment flows and forge strong synergy in industrial development, workforce, and technology between the two countries. "I called Singapore's prime minister at the time to negotiate. "With Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, we discussed it during a Cabinet meeting and brought nearly half of the Cabinet down to Johor, something that has never happened before," he said in his speech at the 2025 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang launching ceremony at Dataran Tanjung Emas here today. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the JS-SEZ has already begun to show encouraging results by attracting investments worth billions of ringgit in strategic sectors. He said Malaysia cannot afford to fall behind in regional investment competition and must leverage Johor's strategic position, especially as it borders a developed country like Singapore. Anwar also expressed his appreciation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is also the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim, for His Majesty's support in elevating Johor's potential as a key driver of the national economy. Johor recorded RM30.1 billion worth of approved investments in the first quarter of 2025, the highest in Malaysia. In January, Singapore and Malaysia signed the JS-SEZ agreement during the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat to enhance economic cooperation and attract investment. The JS-SEZ is a mega development project involving the Iskandar Development Region, Desaru, Johor Baru, Iskandar Puteri, Tanjung Pelepas, Tanjung Bin, Pasir Gudang, Senai, Skudai, and Sedenak. The economic zone aims to attract 100 projects over a decade, among other goals. — Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
RM10mil allocated for people-centric programmes in Muar, says Anwar
MUAR: RM10mil has been allocated for people-centric programmes in Muar, according to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister stated that the funds were intended to enable the district to implement programmes that would benefit the local community. 'This RM10mil allocation will be utilised effectively through various identified development projects. 'As such, the Muar District Office can come up with a list of initiatives to help the people here, especially the underprivileged,' he said. Anwar was speaking at the official launch of the 2025 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign at Dataran Tanjung Emas here on Sunday (July 27), marking the start of the nationwide celebration of patriotism and unity. He said the implementation of the projects would be coordinated by the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister's Department, in collaboration with the Muar District Office. 'I would also like to thank the people of Muar for spreading the Merdeka spirit as the host of this campaign,' he said.
