Why be PM if you fear bosses of big corporations - Anwar

GE15 | Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim has slammed the government’s policy of siding with cartels that monopolise rice imports and make huge profits without taking into account the plight of farmers.

If he were to lead the government as prime minister, Anwar said he would change this policy to one that is more in favour of the farmers.

“Who imports rice? Bernas (Padiberas Nasional Berhad). How much profit (do they make) a year? RM400 million to RM500 million profit.

“What is our suggestion? Our suggestion is to distribute a large portion of Bernas’ profits to the rice farmers, who are poor and do not have enough to eat. Why should we give someone a monopoly?” he said.

He was speaking during a ceramah (political lecture) at Kulim-Bandar Baharu, in Kedah last night.

He said former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin and caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob did not dare to implement such a policy of giving profits to the farmers’ associations.

“For us, InsyaAllah, we will change this cartel. The profits from rice imports, we will give to the farmers.

“What is the point of becoming prime minister if you do not have the courage to face the big bosses,” he said.

Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for Tambun, said this while giving examples of the policy changes he would implement if his coalition succeeds in forming a government after GE15.

Rice farmers need help

Anwar criticised policies from the previous government, which he said were unable to truly defend the livelihood of the farmers, especially involving the country’s rice production.

“Lecturing on the Malay life, what kind of Malays? The Malays are being bled out, and the Malays at the bottom are not getting anything.

“These are rice farmers, they are growing a crop that is difficult to get returns on, so help them a bit. There is no need for government subsidies, just (using) the company that imports rice from Vietnam, what is so difficult?”

“But this is the policy of our country. Those who are young, please think about it carefully. Umno, BN, Perikatan Nasional (PN); their policies are to defend the cartels, the rich bosses.

“Anwar and Harapan will stop the cartels and return the profits to the farmers. This is an example of the policy changes that will be done,” he said.

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