KUALA NERUS – The government is planning to implement bigger and better programmes in the second Madani Budget in October to alleviate hardship and pressure on people’s daily lives.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said one of these programmes will see Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) playing a role in raising the living standards of the poor.
“And why is this? I said we should talk about poverty every week. This is because as Muslims we know our responsibility… Those who steal from orphans and do not protect the interests of the poor are mentioned in the Quran (as) people who deny religion.
“This is a serious issue, so with me now being entrusted as the prime minister, I cannot take this lightly,” he said when opening the Terengganu-level Sahabat Usahawan Madani Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia carnival in Kuala Nerus today.
Anwar said he was determined to fight for the poor because he was convinced that the dignity of the people could be lifted if the country was led by those who cared for and helped them.
As for the public sector salary adjustment, Anwar said he will announce the decision for the new wage and salary rate either in the 2024 Madani Budget or early next year, while more specific allocations for entrepreneurs will also be announced in the Budget.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the country also relied on small and medium entrepreneurs in efforts to expand the Madani economy.
“It is related to the (issue) of eradicating poverty. Programmes need to be drawn up so that this group is not marginalised… and it requires a clear political commitment,” he said.
Anwar said that during this period of state elections, many parties, especially the opposition, brought up various issues but when they had power, they did not do much.
“Among them are they did not increase the allocation for Tekun and did not resolve the rice subsidy problem. We have been attacked in this manner in the past eight months,” he said.
Anwar said the unity government had introduced a two-year five-season rice production initiative and yesterday he announced an increase of the Padi Price Subsidy Scheme (SSHP) rate from RM360 to RM500 per tonne of padi production. – August 9, 2023