PKR MPs urged to use personal funds to help the rakyat

PETALING JAYA: PKR MPs, state excos and assemblymen have been strongly urged to utilise their personal funds to assist Malaysians who are increasingly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"In fact, I have stressed to all MPs, state excos and assemblymen ... that they should withdraw personal funds to help the rakyat who are in need.

"Don't rely on their own abilities to acquire funds from the government or public donations. They must set a good example by coming up with their own money," said the PKR president.

Anwar was speaking at the launch of the "Jelajah Peduli Rakyat" programme at PKR headquarters in Merchant Square here on Friday (Sept 17).

Elaborating further, Anwar said the programme started when chickens sponsored by a local company were delivered to several locations.

On Friday (Sept 17), Anwar said the programme's slogan would be #NadiRakyat and chicken will be sent to more locations nationally by PKR's youth wing.

Meanwhile, Anwar said a political party's role is not solely about bringing new bills to Parliament, but also involves providing checks and balances as well as providing the best service to constituents.

On the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Pakatan Harapan and the government led by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, he said that Malaysians would soon be able to benefit from an RM45bil allocation to assist those affected by the pandemic.

"We proposed RM45bil specifically to alleviate their financial burden and these funds must come together with an interest-free loan moratorium.

"Otherwise, there will be a RM1,000 assistance distributed to pay interest or bank loans," he said.

Also present during the launch was Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who said that under the "Jelajah Peduli Rakyat" programme, 1,000 food baskets were distributed to flood victims in Yan, Kedah recently.

Others present were PKR communications director and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, vice president Chua Tian Chang, and information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin.