Pakatan Rakyat supremo Anwar Ibrahim today stressed the importance of economic development going hand-in-hand with social justice.

pkr congress agm kota baru 300510 anwar speech Speaking after officiating the opening a surau in Komtar, Penang , Anwar ( left ) praised the state government for looking after the needs of Penang Muslims despite having to weather accusations that it was marginalising Muslims. 

Anwar remarked that the Penang government’s aid for Muslim education and social welfare was much higher than what was available during the previous BN administration.

The opposition leader also supported putting mosques and surau s for use beyond ritual worship.

“These places are not just for the performance of prayers, but also for the advancement of the welfare of Muslims,” said the PKR leader.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and various state PKR officials, such as deputy chief minister Mansor Othman and state executive councilor for religion Abdul Malek Abul Kassim, were also present at the opening of the surau, on the fourth floor of the building that houses state administrative offices.

‘Competent civil service vital’

Earlier, Anwar also spoke at an hour-long briefing for state government officers, where he shared his years of experience as minister with the audience.

He said a professional and competent civil service was a vital foundation for economic development and social justice.