MCA has accused the opposition leader of using education as a smokescreen to divert public attention from the astronomical hike in salaries for elected reps in Selangor.

“The claim by Anwar Ibrahim that all Selangor PKR elected representatives will be donating 20 percent or RM1,000, of their newly increased salaries to the Selangor state education fund is nothing more than an excuse to appease the people’s anger.

“Not only has Pakatan Rakyat politicised education, but now we see them using it as a smokescreen to hide behind the elangor government’s unjustified and ridiculously high salary hike,” said MCA publicity bureau chief Heng Seai Kie.

She said the people of Selangor are currently facing pressures from the increasing cost of living, but the state government is abusing public funds for their own use.

“And it is extremely shocking to note that despite all the backlash and criticism, Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim is still adamant in continuing with this plan,” she added.

If Anwar and PKR really cared about education, Heng said they should then work to increase the state’s budget allocation for education.

“Instead, we see them using education as an opportunity to cover up their mistakes and to divert the people’s attention from their inappropriate salary increment,” she added.

Anwar’s proposal, Heng said, is only an attempt to make people think that PKR is being charitable, when in fact, the money actually comes from the people in the first place.

“It is thus clear that the Selangor government has no compassion for the people, and will insist on implementing policies which will burden people’s lives despite strong objections.

“They will also run circles around the people to fool them into thinking that Pakatan is working to resolve the problems which have arisen,” she added.

However, Heng said the people of Selangor are not fools.