KUALA LUMPUR – Three PKR lawmakers are establishing a parliamentary caucus on economic, social and welfare reforms after being lambasted by the public for allowing the easy passage of Budget 2021 at the policy stage.
In a joint statement, Nurul Izzah Anwar (Permatang Pauh), Akmal Nasir (Johor Baru) and Hassan Karim (Pasir Gudang) acknowledged the people’s anger and disappointment over opposition leader and party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to back Perikatan Nasional’s maiden Budget.
“The instructions by the opposition leader to pass Budget 2021 at the policy stage have disappointed many. We were ready to reject the Budget until the last-minute instruction for PKR MPs to follow party discipline.”
After listening to supporters’ demands, said the trio, they are setting up the caucus so as to improve their performance and make up for their mistake.
They said the Budget does not have an adequate social security net for working Malaysians.
“By focusing only on populist moves based on politicians’ call to allow early withdrawals from the Employees Provident Fund, the government has made it easier for contributors to use up their retirement savings instead of educating the public on saving up.
“Forty-three per cent of contributors under 55 years old have savings of less than RM10,000 in Account 1. Without more savings, the government is willing to see the people live out their retirement with an income of not more than RM41 a month, 20 years from now.
“The government should have forwarded the funds and saved the public’s savings.”
They also urged Putrajaya to have detailed policies on matters such as job opportunities, green deals and an expanded social security net. – The Vibes, November 27, 2020
