[UPDATED] You defend graft, but ignore workers’ rights: Anwar swipes at rivals

PUTRAJAYA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took a swipe at his political opponents today for not showing similar enthusiasm in fighting for common citizens as they did when defending their leaders charged with corruption. 

In a fiery speech at the Labour Day celebration here, Anwar lambasted his rivals who accused him of political persecution but showed little interest in championing workers’ rights. 

Defending the actions taken against some opposition leaders, the Pakatan Harapan chairman said it is unfair to accuse him of being vengeful when hundreds of millions of ringgit in public funds had been siphoned off.

“Some of them (play up the issue of) Malay survival and unity, some ride on religion and Islam. But they use these to defend a corrupt system and corrupt individuals. 

“Have they ever talked about workers’ salaries? Have you heard them voicing out on the fate of workers, civil servants? Never.  

“What they do is defend (their leaders and tell us) not to be vengeful and cruel. They don’t want us to act against who? The corrupt and robbers,” he said in his speech, drawing strong cheers from the crowd.

While Anwar did not refer to anyone, since coming to power, several Perikatan Nasional leaders have been charged in court for corruption, the most notable being coalition chairman and former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. 

In his speech, Anwar stressed on the importance of having good leaders who are able to draw up clear policies for the benefit of the rakyat, and not those who are only interested in enriching themselves and their families. 

“Do we want to maintain the same, allow those who become the finance minister and prime minister to steal as much as possible, and with children who are billionaires? 

“Are we going to defend this? Is this right? It’s not right,” he said. 

Anwar said this was also why he decided to forego his ministerial salaries, as he would be embarrassed to earn tens of thousands of ringgit each month while many other Malaysians continue to suffer financially. 

“That is only the salary and allowances. (Some leaders) get much more in commissions, and have assets in Vancouver, London, New York, Perth. But when they come home, they cry ‘hidup Melayu’.”

Anwar pointed out that as a result of systemic corruption, among others, many Malaysians today had to suffer, as the government does not have enough funds to improve their well-being. 

This is why he said his unity government is adamant about eliminating graft and improving the government’s finances. 

He promised that if the current trend of fighting corruption and good tax collection persists, resulting in increased revenue, the government will prioritise increasing civil servants’ wages. 

“In the meantime, whatever bonuses and other health and educational requirements, we will expedite them. Don’t worry.” 

Meanwhile, to ensure the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) and Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) are able to manage themselves better, Anwar announced an allocation of RM1 million each to the two organisations. – The Vibes, May 1, 2023