KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH) has lambasted the purported spending of more than RM2 billion to foreign consultants to prepare the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, he argued that it would have been wiser to spend the money on local experts, who would have a better understanding of the country’s situation.
“I would like to ask about the more than RM2 billion given to consultants to complete the 12MP document. Maybe some (of the points) can be used, but I’m still confident that planning in the country can be conducted by local experts.
“This is because they will understand better the issues plaguing the country, like poverty and inequity, and not foreign experts.”
However, Anwar stopped short of naming the foreign consultants involved or how he obtained the information.
Meanwhile, he also called for the establishment of a parliamentary select committee (PSC) to monitor contracts awarded by the government via direct or limited negotiation.
Debating the 12MP, Anwar said the PSC should detail the contracts and projects, and debate it in the august House.
“Transformation and the MoU (memorandum of understanding) mean nothing if the government is not transparent.
“The government wants our (opposition) support but if contracts worth billions are not made transparent and ‘disappear’ just like that, that is not right.
“It’s as though we are conspirators. If the government really wants to cooperate, what is there to hide? We want to know to whom the contracts are granted to, why, and what are the companies’ track records,” he said.
The PKR president was responding to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar-Independent), who urged Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz to reveal a list of contracts given to companies.
During a parliamentary sitting in August last year, Tengku Zafrul had released a list of all 101 government projects worth RM6.61 billion that were awarded via direct negotiation during the 22-month Pakatan Harapan administration.
In addition, Anwar suggested that a new form of taxation be introduced, but which should only be applied to the affluent.
“The government must not burden the people with more taxes just for the nation’s economic recovery. Instead, reduce the burden of the people and start a progressive form of taxation on the rich.
“If the rich can still make profit during the economic downturn while the poor and unemployed suffer, then it would be good that there’s a little tax for the rich.” – The Vibes, September 28, 2021
