2 days ago
Incentives, rebates and more: Different leadership, but same approach
Photo shows a shopkeeper and his wife watching the live broadcast of the special announcement by Anwar via tablet. — Bernama photo
KUCHING (July 27): The announcement of 'interesting offerings' for Malaysians by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is regarded as 'a welcoming break from being paraded with many less-desirable national narratives'.
In pointing this out, socio-political activist Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan highlighted Anwar's statement about the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) having recorded a growth of about 4.4 per cent in the first quarter of this year.
'That is a remarkable performance in view of the fact that the world economy is competitive, and that the new US tariff is yet to have it full impact upon Malaysia,' said the fellow of Academy of Sciences Malaysia and adjunct professor of Institute of Borneo Studies at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), in a statement.
The academician also said the health of the economy affected everyone, 'from the super-rich to the downright poor'.
However, he said help and assistance were usually targeted.
Moreover, those who were aware of them would have access, but those who did not know about them, more often would be left out, he added.
'How many Dayak communities in the interior and far-flung corners of Sarawak are aware of how the RM100,000 Sejati Madani grant would benefit them?
'Without knowledge of what, where and how to apply for this, they would be left out.
'In this respect, the role of their elected representatives becomes important,' he said.
'How many Dayak longhouses have been adopted under the 'Kampung Angkat Madani'?'
'How many rural schools in Sarawak and in the interior have been adopted as 'Sekolah Angkat Madani'?'
'The rural and interior inhabitants might not benefit from the Rahmah Basic Contribution (Sara) aid of RM100 because to travel to shops in town that dispense these goods, might cost them more than the amount itself,' he said.
Jayum also noted that the toll fares were maintained.
'Sabah and Sarawak do not have tolls, so this toll-fee freeze does not benefit the people of these two regions.
'The mentality of the government and their leaders remain through different periods and during different leaderships,' he said.
'Cash incentives, rebates, and price freezes on certain concessions are popular approaches to gain support, but these actions are not sustainable in the long run,' he pointed out.
'How much, and for how long, can the government provide these handouts?'
Jayum said that the more sustainable actions and those that would endear PM Anwar and his ruling party to the people would be for them to keep their election promises.
'There is a high expectation that the Madani Government under Anwar would be more inclusive because he rose to the position of Prime Minister through non-partisan support,' he added. anwar ibrahim jayum jawan lead Sara aid
