THE need to address soaring living costs and ensure necessities remain affordable are the main issues the unity government needs to address this year.
Political analyst Afi Roshezry Abu Bakar told Sinar Daily that it was imperative to translate rhetoric into tangible results that resonate with the public.
The senior lecturer from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman said, “The people want results and the government must deliver. It is as simple as that.
“The rakyat demands to see concrete results.”
He said that while the reported low inflation rate aligns with figures presented by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, the people are increasingly concerned about the high cost of living and necessities.
He said ministries like the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry immediately impact people’s everyday lives.
“This ministry and the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry need to operate on the same level of urgency.
“The clock is ticking and immediate action is required to mitigate the potential impact on our local market,” he said.
Afi also said there were also challenges ahead for newly appointed Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, especially regarding minimum wage issues.
He told Sinar Daily that while Sim’s record in the Finance Ministry is commendable, the minimum wage and private sector salary scale issues need speedy attention as both matters are crucial.
The analyst also voiced concern over Rafizi’s recent social media engagements.
“The government needs to focus on shaping the economy rather than engage in unproductive online fights over baseless claims with ‘cybertroopers’,” he said. – The Vibes, January 1, 2024
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