Anwar promises won't interfere in probe on Nafas, Khazanah

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim insisted he would not block or interfere with the investigation of the National Farmers’ Organisation (Nafas) and Khazanah Nasional Berhad.

He said the probe must be done fairly regardless of rank and position, or whether it involves government or private companies.

“Now there is an uproar over the Nafas issue. Although it is an independent body, it is under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry. Recently, there was also the case of Khazanah Nasional, whose chairperson is the prime minister.

“But, I will not hinder investigations if there is a report. If it’s wrong, investigate. If it’s wrong, prosecute. If it’s wrong, punish,” he said.

He was speaking at the opening of the 2024 National Level Hawkers and Petty Traders Day Carnival in Penang today.

Earlier, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki reportedly said the commission started an investigation into investment losses amounting to RM43.9 million suffered by Khazanah and Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) in local fashion company FashionValet.

Anwar also said he would leave it to the MACC to investigate Nafas and an alleged cartel involved in the distribution of fertiliser for rice crops.

“I have long been annoyed with cartels that only take care of their group, not the people,” he said.

The prime minister also said his government is committed to defending the people’s well-being, especially the low- and middle-income earners.

He added that revenue savings from implementing targeted subsidies can then be channelled to deserving groups, including hawkers and petty traders.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the government will conduct continuous studies to ensure targeted subsidies are not burdensome to the public.

“We are withdrawing subsidies for the T15. Nonetheless, we are still studying as we are worried that an income of RM13,000 with five children and two studying in university may be a burden. We are studying the matter,” he said.

Empowering hawkers and small traders

Meanwhile, Anwar suggested that hawkers and petty trader associations join forces to establish cooperatives, which can reduce administration costs.

“I ask (the cooperative body) to coordinate with Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Bhd (Angkasa) so there is no overlap as Angkasa already has a distribution centre in almost every district,” he said.

At the event, Anwar also launched the National Hawkers and Petty Traders Development Policy 2030 with the theme “Hawkers and Petty Traders are the Pulse of the National Economy”.

Also present were Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Ewon Benedick and his deputy R Ramanan, Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Penang Deputy Chief Minister 1 Mohamad Abdul Hamid, and the Coalition of Malay Hawkers and Petty Traders Malaysia president Zainal Abidin Abdul Majid.

The event is held every Nov 18 to appreciate the contribution of hawkers and petty traders to the national economy.

Themed “Madani Hawkers and Petty Traders: Viable, Sustainable”, this year’s celebration brought together hawkers and petty traders from across the country in a three-day carnival that ends tomorrow.

- Bernama

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