KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reminded Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that he should be advocating the voices of the public, after the prime minister said many employers object to the proposal to increase the minimum wage.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, the opposition leader said it is incumbent that the prime minister listens to the demands of the rakyat in implementing a new minimum wage, amid skyrocketing inflation.
“There are objections from conglomerates on the issue of minimum wage,” he said when debating the royal address in the lower House today.
“The prime minister recently said that he has discussed with some of the big corporations, and that they disagreed. Is this prime minister the representative of the businesses or the people?
“Where in the world (does this happen)? Look at Bernie Sanders, he became popular because he acts as a spokesman for normal citizens.”
Sanders is an American politician and activist who has been championing the plight of ordinary people.
Anwar’s remarks today are believed to be in response to Ismail Sabri’s statement on February 19, when he claimed that many companies are disagreeable to the proposed increment of the minimum wage to RM1,500.
However, based on previous reports, Ismail Sabri was quoted as saying that his concern lies on smaller businesses that may not be able to afford to pay their workers and could lead to retrenchment.
“We are not protecting employers; our interest is employees. If the employees’ minimum wage can be raised to RM1,500, that is for the best,” he had said.
Anwar argued that it would be unfair for workers to remain on a minimum wage of between RM1,100 to RM1,200 presently when larger corporations make billions of ringgit in profit each year.
Reveal names of AP recipients
On a separate issue, Anwar claimed that the issuance of approved permits (APs) to certain parties for the import of basic goods are part of the reasons behind the recent hike in prices.
“Previously, APs were only for the import of cars, but now they are used for cabbage, chicken, everything needs APs.
“These are controlled by certain quarters, who are monopolising the industry. If we allow the practice of monopoly, it will not allow other entities to compete,” he said, adding that many of the APs are given to the division chiefs of political parties.
To ensure transparency, Anwar said the government should release the lease of names of AP recipients, including the industries in which they are involved in.
“The prime minister had said that he wanted transparency. Okay, I agree. Then give the names of those who have received the APs to Parliament and the public.”
Anwar said the issue of inflation and cost of living is critical and must be resolved immediately as people are finding it increasingly difficult to survive, especially with salaries remaining stagnant. – The Vibes, March 2, 2022
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