Anwar Ibrahim is a populist for saying that Budget 2014, especially the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), as a punishment for the people.

NONE Chief Minister Idris Haron said the opposition leader just wanted to get the attention of a handful of people without thinking about balancing the economy.

"The accusation is proof that he (Anwar) is a populist leader who only makes nice announcement in front of the people for personal gain without considering the effects on the future of the country," he told reporters after attending the 9th convocation of Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) in Durian Tunggal, Malacca, today.

Idris was commenting on a news portal report quoting Anwar as saying the budget tabled by Prime Minister Najib Razak, especially the implementation of GST, as punishment for the people.

He said the decision to implement GST of 6 percent effective April 1, 2015 was the right move as the government has to find resources to balance the economy.

This was necessary as the country's resources would decline by 2018 and the implementation of GST was the best way for the people to share the responsibility.

- Bernama