Muhyiddin: Rakyat still not confident with gov’t
Noting that 2015 ended with the rakyat’s confidence in the government wavering, former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin believes that 2016 will be fraught with more challenges.
Muhyiddin, in his new year’s message, said that 2015 was a bleak year for Malaysia in terms of the integrity and transparency of the country’s administration.
Citing the various scandals plaguing the country - the 1MDB imbroglio, the RM2.6 billion ‘donation’ to the prime minister, the sacking of the former attorney-general, as well as the transfer of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers involved in investigations into 1MDB - he noted that these were only some of issues which had raised questions over the integrity of our government.
The government’s explanation on the 1MDB scandal, said Muhyiddin, has not convinced the rakyat.
“They want those responsible for losing such a huge amount of money as well as the country’s coffers to be brought to justice,” said Muhyiddin.
Apart from issues of integrity and transparency, Malaysians have also had to contend with the rising cost of living, he added.
Admitting that the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) has somewhat alleviated the financial burden of the poor, the rising price of goods, toll hikes, increase in public transport fares as well as removal of government subsidies have cancelled those gains.
“Until the end of 2015, cost of living continues to haunt the rakyat. Overall, the rakyat want the government to do something more meaningful and effective to alleviate their burdens,” he said.
Muhyiddin stressed that the country’s leaders are responsible for preventing wastage and leakages in government expenditure, especially when the rakyat are asked to be thrifty and work overtime to increase their income.
Every sen must go back to rakyat
“Make sure that every sen spent by the government gets to the rakyat. Every sen in the form of tax collected from the rakyat must be returned in the form of public facilities, education, transportation, healthcare as well as welfare programmes that truly benefit those who need them.
“It’s a shame how with the rakyat suffering due to the rising cost of living [...] there are still leakages and wastage in the distribution of contracts and concessions that will only benefit a small group of individuals,” he said.
Insisting that focus must be kept on the rising cost of living and government integrity concerns, Muhyiddin urged the rakyat not to fall for diversions that threaten unity among the various races.
“Don’t let irresponsible quarters purposely fan race and religious sentiment just so that the rakyat’s attention are turned away from the issue of the country’s administration,” he stressed.
Malaysia experienced a number of race-related incidents last year.
After the Low Yat Plaza fracas in July, several thousands took to the streets clad in red shirts in defence of the ‘Malay race’s dignity’ in September.
Critics claimed that these are but attempts to create diversions to lull the rakyat's attention away from various government scandals.
For more news and views that matter, subscribe and support independent media for only RM0.36 sen a day:
Subscribe now