Latest news with #MadaniRakyat
The Star
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘GST will hurt low-income M'sians'
LUMUT: The government is not ready to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that will unfairly burden low-income Malaysians, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. On the surface, he said, GST looks like a good system as it is simple, easier to manage with just a flat 6% that everyone will have to pay. However, he said the implementation of GST will mean that the poor, the fishermen, smallholders, low-wage workers and street vendors are taxed on everyday essentials. 'GST is a broad-based tax. Everyone pays even for sugar, flour and basic food items. 'Yes, it is systematic and easy to implement, but is it fair? The poor or the unemployed will need to pay taxes just to have food,' he said in his speech at the closing of a Madani Rakyat programme yesterday. Anwar said this in response to assertions by opposition politicians that GST will be a better system compared to the existing Sales and Services Tax (SST). Anwar's comments come on the back of calls by some experts to revive the GST as opposed to the government's plans to expand the coverage of the SST in July. He explained that it will be feasible to implement GST if the country's economy grows stronger and if minimum wage is RM4,000 and above. Anwar said SST targeted imported and luxury goods rather than daily necessities. 'When imported bananas were taxed, people made noise, but these are not the local bananas like pisang emas or pisang rastali which are not taxed,' he said. Citing examples, he said that imported bananas, avocados and codfish are taxed because these are mostly consumed by those who are well-off. Anwar said that taxes collected under SST helped fund critical public services and national defence. 'If we do not collect taxes, how do we repair hospitals, fix roads, build schools or buy new aircraft for our armed forces?' he asked. He dismissed claims that the government is burdening the rakyat with power tariff hikes, pointing out that 85% of consumers do not have to face higher electricity charges. 'So those shouting about defending the Malays and Islam, who are you really defending? The rich? 'Because the village people did not see their bills go up, but the rich did,' he added. He said that no taxation system is perfect. 'I am not saying SST is flawless. If there are hiccups affecting businesses, we can sit down, discuss and improve on it. 'But people must understand why taxes are required,' he added.
Malaysiakini
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Anwar: Let MACC arrest people every day, I won't interfere
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has no objections to the MACC taking aggressive action to recover stolen public funds, including making arrests daily if necessary. Speaking at the Madani Rakyat programme in Lumut, Perak, today, Anwar stressed that reforms in governance must prioritise curbing abuse of power and increasing transparency.
Malay Mail
15-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
From drug abuse to jobs, Anwar wants ministers, MPs to directly engage with grassroots to close policy gap
LUMUT, June 15 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today urged all ministers, senior federal and state government officials, as well as policy and project implementers, to frequently engage with the public to better understand the issues faced by the people. The Prime Minister said members of parliament should also adopt this approach to ensure local concerns are addressed more effectively and comprehensively. 'Even senior civil servants are requested to go to the ground, which is why we have initiatives like Sejati Madani and Kampung Angkat Madani. These enable senior officials, including ministers, to identify any disconnect between policy statements and their implementation at the grassroots level. 'When we engage at the ground level, we discuss issues like education, unemployment, drug abuse, healthcare facilities and economic projects. All these must be addressed thoroughly because the challenges reported may differ between federal and state levels,' he said. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said this at the closing of the Perak-level Madani Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 held at Lumut Waterfront here today. — Bernama
The Star
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
'If you stole public funds, you must return it', says Anwar
LUMUT: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated the government's commitment to fight corruption and power abuse, assuring that no one, regardless of their political affiliation or past leadership status, will be spared. He said under his leadership, the government would not obstruct any investigation or arrest by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), as long as the individuals involved are genuinely guilty of wrongdoing. Anwar stated he did not care if the arrests are made daily and that he would not interfere. "Arrest whoever you want, whether they are from the Unity Government, the opposition, or those retired. "As long as they really stole, arrest them," he said during his speech at the closing ceremony of the Madani Rakyat event at the Lumut Waterfront on Sunday (June 15). Citing examples, Anwar said cases involving former ministers linked to financial scandals worth billions of ringgit, some of whom are still trying to gain public sympathy by appealing to their age and status. "There are former ministers who say, 'pity us, we are old'. I do sympathise, but if you stole public funds, you must return it," he added. Anwar added that the government would continue to uphold proper governance and remain committed to principles of transparency without compromise. He said this included ending the culture of awarding projects without open tenders. "I want to recover whatever was stolen from the country, and I hope everyone will cooperate so we can keep doing our work properly," he said. Anwar also stressed that he holds no personal grudges against those who wronged him in the past, but matters involving national wealth are a different story. "You used to insult me, jail me, beat me, now I am the Prime Minister and I have forgiven all of that. "But if you stole the people's money, you are obligated to return it," he said.
Malaysiakini
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Anwar: Let MACC arrest people every day, I won't interfere
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has no objections to the MACC taking aggressive action to recover stolen public funds, including making arrests daily if necessary. Speaking at the Madani Rakyat programme in Lumut, Perak, today, Anwar stressed that reforms in governance must prioritise curbing abuse of power and increasing transparency.
