KUALA LUMPUR – After public backlash over his appointment to head the newest government task force, Communication and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa has clapped back by telling opposition lawmaker Hannah Yeoh to not be a “chauvinist”.
Much has been said over Annuar heading the special inflation group while Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz is a member of the six-man task force.
Annuar threw some shade at Segambut MP Yeoh on Twitter, questioning her understanding of the matter and that “God-willing, more will be included in the task force”.
“Can’t be just six people (in the task force). Don’t be a chauvinist.”
Yeoh quickly replied on Twitter that this is the first time she has been labelled as a “chauvinist by Annuar Musa”.
Malaysia ni kan ada ramai wanita yang berkaliber. Tapi yang dilantik untuk atasi masalah inflasi dan harga barang naik adalah golongan lelaki kaya raya. pic.twitter.com/iTiXc6fj0A
— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) June 29, 2022
In an earlier tweet responding to a poster with the faces of the six men and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Yeoh said Malaysia has many women of calibre but those appointed to address inflation and rising food prices are rich men.
Other members of the task force include Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
Meanwhile, Bagan Datuk MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for the dissolution of National Recovery Council (NRC), which is led by political rival Bersatu president and Pagoh MP Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Zahid said it has failed in its mandate and was only created for the former prime minister to improve his image and not necessarily prioritise the interests of the people and nation.
In a statement yesterday, Ismail Sabri said the task force, which will be parked under the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, is dubbed “Pasukan Khas Jihad Tangani Inflasi” (Battling Inflation Taskforce) that aims to resolve inflation-related issues by gathering information from relevant ministries and agencies.
He added that a press conference will be held after each of its meetings, scheduled to take place twice a week. – The Vibes, June 30, 2022
