Anwar defends aid spending, cites RM16 billion allocation
The prime minister said corruption and financial leakages, rather than assistance for low-income groups, threatened the economy.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim defended government spending on poorer households on Oct 31, pointing to RM16 billion allocated this year for assistance under Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR). He was speaking in Kota Bharu at the launch of the Kelantan Entrepreneur Revival Scheme.
Anwar said helping people in need would not bankrupt the government. He described support for low-income groups as a government duty, aimed at allowing more people to benefit from the country's development.
Alongside the assistance programmes, he cited higher civil service salaries and an increase in the minimum wage as government measures intended to improve people's well-being.
He identified leaders' misconduct, corruption and financial leakages as economic threats, saying the misuse of public wealth for particular groups could damage the economy. Anwar said assistance for those in need should continue alongside prudent management of government finances and standards of good governance.
