Rafidah: Stop baiting voters, start serving with integrity

Former minister Rafidah Aziz dismissed the need for grand gestures of appreciation, stressing that leaders should simply fulfil their duties with integrity as expected.

In a brief message to Malaysiakini, she said: “No need to appreciate the people or to bait them just to get votes”.

After all, she stressed, every single ringgit belongs to the people, not the government.

“Just work for the people with sincerity, integrity, and responsibility. Not merely to win votes,” she added.

Rafidah was responding to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s “extraordinary tribute” to the people, which was announced this morning.

In a televised address, he announced that RON95 petrol prices will drop by six sen to RM1.99 per litre before the end of September, with the current price being RM2.05 per litre.

He cited national debt and economic recovery as reasons for the delay, adding that the move will benefit over 18 million Malaysians, especially youth and gig workers.

Anwar also announced a one-off RM100 Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara) for all Malaysians aged 18 and above, usable via MyKad at over 4,100 stores from Aug 31 to Dec 31. 

This move adds RM2 billion to the Sara budget, raising total spending from RM13 billion to RM15 billion.

‘This shows govt’s commitment’

Meanwhile, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil described the announcement as a clear demonstration of the Madani government’s sensitivity to the pulse of the people and its commitment to easing their burden with various forms of assistance.

He said the announced approach would also further boost economic growth, provide relief to the people, as well as strengthen the country’s fiscal resilience in the face of global uncertainties.

“At the same time, the Madani government will continue to strive to balance the need to improve the country’s financial position with the responsibility to safeguard the well-being of the people.

“Highest appreciation and thanks to the prime minister for the announcement of the Madani government’s measures that provide relief to the people, as well as drive the country’s economic stability,” he said in a post uploaded on social media.

Fahmi said the measures taken and announced were the result of careful consideration based on the principles of social justice and economic sustainability.

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