KUALA LUMPUR – Newly minted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the new government’s priority is to tackle the rising costs of living which he described as “suppressing and gripping” the lives of the rakyat.
Anwar said he had asked the relevant government departments and agencies to conduct thorough discussions on the matter.
“And if they don’t mind, I will ask them to hold a special meeting this weekend or at the latest on Monday, though I know it's a public holiday.
“But if they are a bit reluctant, I will postpone it. But I believe that knowing the commitment of these officers, they understand that our main task is to ease the burden faced by the people out there,” Anwar said in a press conference after clocking in for his first day at work at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya today.
In a separate matter, Anwar also reiterated his promise to reduce the number as well as the salaries of all cabinet members.
“The size of the cabinet will certainly be reduced, and I also ask that the new cabinet members agree with my proposal to reduce their salaries, but this is in the process of discussion,” said Anwar.
Anwar was sworn in as the 10th prime minister yesterday, ending a five-day political impasse after the 15th general election last Saturday which resulted in a hung Parliament. – The Vibes, November 25, 2022
