Stable govt needed to ensure economic growth, people's welfare looked after, says Anwar

SEREMBAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says his government is focused on promoting economic growth to ensure the people's welfare and well-being was looked after.

Speaking at the Negri Sembilan government and Malaysa Madani Hari Raya open house here on Sunday (May 7), he said that for this to be possible, there has to be a stable government that can focus on formulating and executing policies and plans tailored for their needs.

"Amazon, for example, only announced its plan to invest billions in Malaysia and make this country their base after the unity government was formed.

"Many countries that had applied for it (for Amazon to set up operations in their country) were surprised by this but Amazon picked Malaysia because they knew we arebpolitically stable," he added.

He said automobile company Geely has also agreed to invest billions of ringgit in Malaysia and turn it into a regional hub.

"Again, all these would not be possible if this government was not stable.

"It clearly shows they have confidence in the country's leadership and future," he said.

Anwar said this was also why he had, on Saturday (May 6) in Penang, asked any party or MPs who wished to table a no-confidence vote in Parliament against his leadership to do so in the coming session.

"I am not going to be like a former PM who declared an Emergency and suspended Parliament.

"This PM will face and fight this in Parliament because I want to once and for all end this talk that my government is not stable," he said.

Anwar said he was also aware that some Opposition members had labelled him as the worst PM ever for failing to safeguard Malay rights.

"I wish to know how my government has taken away or compromised the rights of the Malays since we assumed power six months ago?

"We have continued with the policies and safeguarded Malay rights but what we didn't do is ask for commissions, timber, land or shares in return.

"Members of my government are not here to steal money belonging to the people," he said.

Citing an example, Anwar said although his government had allocated more funds for flood mitigation projects in Kelantan, the Federal Government was still accused of not looking into the welfare of the people in the state.

Anwar said his government will also allocate more funds to help the hardcore poor in several states including Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu.

Also present at the open house were the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and several Cabinet ministers.