Opposition lacks ideas, they'll even question my songkok: Anwar

The opposition has run out of ideas and issues to debate in Dewan Rakyat, so much so that they’ll argue whether the premier’s songkok is crooked or not.

Instead of debating the government’s efforts to eradicate extreme poverty, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said critics choose to focus on trivialities.

“(The issue of) housing and extreme poverty is what we are concentrating on today. But you know, debates in Parliament have become strange.

“The question about the prime minister’s songkok - whether it is crooked or not - has become an issue. 

“This shows they (opposition) are out of ideas; they have no substance to debate,” he said while officiating the launch of the Residensi Madani project in Putrajaya today.

Also present at the event were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

During the event, Anwar announced a project involving 4,000 units of Residensi Madani in Putrajaya, expected to be completed by 2028.

The seven Residensi Madani projects are located in Precincts 5, 7, 11, 16, and 19 in Putrajaya, namely Madani Sentral, Serunai, Cemara, Cengkih, Cempaka, Mawar, and Melur.

‘Govts don’t fall for raising wages’

Meanwhile, Anwar said it took courage and political will to raise the minimum wage as announced in Budget 2025 and noted the discontent surrounding the decision.

“If I ask the companies, there would be no decision… it’s impossible (that they would agree). 

“We are not raising it to RM2,500; we’re increasing it from RM1,500 to RM1,700, allowing small companies more time.

“So, I hope for cooperation as we face this together with clear political determination. Not everyone will agree and be comfortable, but this is the challenge of leadership - whether we are brave or not,” he said.

He added that no government in history has fallen for helping the poor and appropriately raising wages.

“No government has ever fallen or lost for raising proper wages and fair pay. 

“Governments fall due to corruption, misconduct, and the greed of leaders who unjustly acquire wealth. That is why,” Anwar stated.

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