KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition lawmaker Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (Tasek Gelugor-PN) has accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s (Tambun-PH) Budget 2023 speech of employing rhetoric that indicates a desire to start “class warfare” in the nation.
During the debate on the national supply bill, Wan Saiful also alleged that the prime minister’s speech last Friday was careless and disorganised.
He added that Anwar’s speech had rhetorical intonations that indicated a desire to start “class warfare”.
“This is a populist tactic originating from the ideologies of left-wing figures, namely Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
“Their work, the Communist Manifesto, teaches the concept of class warfare, which talks about the clash between the rich and the poor.”
However, Wan Saiful did not provide examples of what he was referring to in the budget speech.
Urging the government allow Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals, Wan Saiful said the unity government, which consists of Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN) and others, was detached from the grassroots.
“We need to allow EPF withdrawals, which have been done by PN (during its term as government),” he said.
“Unfortunately, the PH-BN government is residing in paradise. The government is detached from the hardships faced by the rakyat because they sit too far high up,” he said, urging the government to consider allowing another EPF withdrawal.
In another barb, Wan Saiful accused Anwar of copying former finance minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s budget speech delivered last October.
“For example, Tengku Zafrul’s budget speech stated an initiative would provide RM700 million for the execution of digital connectivity in 47 industry areas and almost 3,700 schools.
“While Anwar made mention of a RM725 million allocation for the execution of digital connectivity in 47 industry areas and almost 3,700 schools.”
During the Budget 2023 tabling, Anwar announced that the government would provide a one-off injection of RM500 for EPF contributors, aged between 40 and 54, with less than RM10,000 in their Account 1.
This, he said, will help the rakyat rebuild their retirement savings to ensure they have enough funds once they leave the workforce.
Anwar’s government has been against allowing additional EPF withdrawals. He had told Dewan Rakyat before that another withdrawal would worsen the existing problem of contributors having insufficient retirement savings, which he described as now being at “a very worrying level”.
It was reported previously that 51% or 6.7 million EPF contributors below the age of 55 have less than RM10,000 in their retirement savings following withdrawals made during the pandemic.
The “basic savings” amount to retire as set by the EPF is RM240,000 at the age of 55. – The Vibes, February 27, 2023
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