UNITY GOVT WON THREE MOST ECONOMICALLY POWERFUL STATES

 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the unity government’s performance in the recent six state election was positive as it has maintained power and political stability for the country.

Speaking to CNBC in an exclusive interview, Anwar said that Pakatan Harapan and its partners successfully retained the three more populated and economically successful states which are the backbone of the Malaysian economy.

“More significantly is the fact that we still hold a very comfortable two-thirds majority in the national Parliament, and nothing has changed. So there is that sense of political stability,” he said.

Anwar said that it is usually harder for the government during state and by-elections as the Opposition used the race and religion card and also the struggling economy to blame the ruling party,

“I think given all the negative scenarios we have done wonderfully well.

“Now we are quite relieved that we have four years to proceed with the reform programmes and to dismantle this endemic corruption in the country and to counter this incessant propaganda on race and religion,” he said.

Anwar said that he was confident of his government’s future and ability to stay in power until the end of its term due to the inclusive nature of its unity government.

“There’s no indication whatsoever of any disagreements or cracks within the ruling coalition, which also include the dominant Sabah and Sarawak parties. So it’s, in a sense, unique because it is not dominated by a particular reason because the majority are Muslims naturally, but there are adequate representations of the minority groups from Sabah and Sarawak.

“To me that is critical for the future of this country. And I think considering all these factors, there is stability. There’s clarity in pronouncing an economic policy. So I think we are on clear policy guidelines, and we should proceed from here confidently,” he said.

Anwar denied that its partner Barisan Nasional was becoming a liability or risk, although he acknowledged the cracks that showed, to which he said it was up to the leadership to take note of the issues being raised.

“I’ve been fighting Umno for decades. You can’t discount the fact that they are still a dominant Malay Nationalist Party. There is an impressive historical record in terms of achieving, clamouring for independence. But they have to undertake some internal measures, and reform the party.

“But we are here as a team, and we will do what is necessary to make sure they’re emboldened in a way, as long as we are committed to the reform agenda in this country,” he said.

Anwar also said that this election saw a shift from the young Malay demographic, in particular the urban youth, from embracing the Islamic values of Bersatu and PAS last year and moving towards his coalition.

“During this election, you have seen the change of the urban Malays, the university students have now changed course, and are more supportive of us and our agenda. But we have not been able to penetrate the rural areas. I mean, I wouldn’t be pushing the blame to them. But I think it’s our limitations, too,” he said.

He said that his administration intends on continuing its engagement and that the Opposition’s clean, anti-corrupt agenda was now in trouble as its members are embroiled in corruption charges.