Don't misuse Quran just to belittle govt, Anwar tells PN MP

PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has berated Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs for citing Quranic verses to ridicule the government’s initiatives in a bid to end hardcore poverty.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, stressed that the re-tabled Budget 2023 was a more inclusive one compared to the previous three budgets which were carried out when PAS was part of the federal government.

“How can we use the Quran that teaches us about welfare, and we forget about our responsibilities and welfare, and relate it to 'Madani' budget?

“This is what we call as 'riding on religion (penunggang agama), using Quranic verses to insult people’,” he said.

Anwar said this when interjected by Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN – Tumpat) who complained that budget allocations for Kelantan were low despite the fact that it is one of the poorest states.

"You are misusing verses of the Quran to insult people," Anwar shot back.

"Where is the fault in my actions? I will try my best to help everyone in this country.

"If you look at the past three years' budget and compare it to the one I presented, this one is much better than the previous years. We have been inclusive towards Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah.

"To use the word zalim (cruel) is incorrect and you are misusing verses of the Quran with the wrong goal and purpose," Anwar said.

Previously, during the debates on Budget 2023, several PN lawmakers lambasted the government for allegedly sidelining states held by the opposition.

However, Anwar had detailed figures of the allocations the government provided for the PN-held states earlier today.

‘Read budget report, opposition’

“Kelantan will receive RM2.5 billion this year compared to RM1.8 billion. Perlis has been allocated RM570 million as opposed to the previous RM250 million.

“Read the budget report! Don’t just create a cock and bull story (temberang). Read!

"Three years ago (when PN was in power), what happened? Why wasn't the allocation increased? Where was the allocation for Kelantan?

"It's okay... You don't have to thank me, but don't insult me,” Anwar said.

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