[UPDATED] Unity govt to form three committees for interparty cohesion: Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the unity government will form three committees to ensure cohesion over policies and other cooperative matters between all parties in the government.

Following the secretariat meeting at Umno’s headquarters in Menara Dato Onn this evening, Anwar said the three committees set to be formed focused on strategy, elections, as well as government and political agenda monitoring.

“The terms of the committee formation are to ensure the policies are mutually agreed upon,” he told a press conference.

“Besides the state ministers who have certain tasks and discussions every week, this council will give their views on the main policies of the unity government.

“Secondly, (they will) ensure that all views are taken into consideration when forming policies.” 

Anwar explained the strategy committee’s tasks include addressing communication issues following “extremely slanderous statements” faced by the unity government.

He then provided an example involving the recent Quran-burning uproar, which he claimed several figures used to tarnish the government’s image for being “negligent” and “not taking action.”

“A few so-called religious figures used the incident in their speeches, as if we (the government) haven’t done anything.

“When in reality, we released a statement condemning the act, called upon the Swedish ambassador, and I announced the distribution of one million Qurans,” he added.

Meanwhile, Anwar said the election committee will focus on the upcoming state elections.

He said planning for state election affairs and seat allocations will fall under the committee’s jurisdiction, adding that it will work to ensure that the elections have a good foundation for the parties under the unity government.

Anwar also said that the government and political agenda monitoring committee was formed to take views and manifestos into consideration, as well as priorities involving the cost of living, among others.

He said the secretariat meetings, which he will chair, will be held on a monthly basis, adding that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof will be its secretary-general, and Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki will head the secretariat. – The Vibes, February 7, 2023