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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today he will not interfere in PKR's top leadership decision to leave its two highest positions uncontested.
In response to speculation that the PKR president and deputy president positions may remain uncontested, Anwar, who is also party president, said the decision lies entirely with party members.
"Let them decide. I am not interfering (in the decision personally). Let democracy take its course.
"Whether to contest or not, it is their own decision," the New Straits Times cited Anwar saying after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Residensi Rakyat Programme (PRR) in Bestari Jaya today.
PM: Previous administration caused delays in projects
Anwar has strongly criticized the previous administration for the prolonged delays in projects aimed at improving the well-being of the public.
He specifically pointed to the lack of progress in key initiatives such as affordable housing for low-income groups and the ceiling price of rice, which saw no substantial changes despite multiple ministerial reshuffles.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Anwar expressed frustration over the stagnation of these vital projects, despite the continuous turnover of ministers.
"How many ministers have changed over the years, yet these issues remain unresolved? It’s often those who speak the loudest, who were in power before, and yet some of them have become extremely wealthy," he remarked.
Anwar emphasised that while the current government is not without flaws, steps have been taken to address these long-standing issues. He highlighted the PRR, under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and the recent increase in the ceiling price of rice, a move facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
He added, "Yes, things may not be perfect, but when the previous government was in power, what did they actually achieve? During their 33 months in office, no substantial action was taken to improve the situation. Not even a single ringgit was added to address the struggles of our farmers."
Meanwhile, the prime minister also referred to the ongoing debate in Parliament regarding paddy farmers' difficulties, particularly in states like Kedah and Kelantan, where productivity remains low.
Despite the high output in Selangor, Anwar pointed out that the opposition continued to blame the current administration. He reminded them that, under their tenure, the situation remained unchanged, with no financial improvements made to support the agricultural sector.
Anwar stressed that the recent increase in rice prices, which has been implemented twice under his administration, came as a result of comprehensive negotiations and resource mobilisation, ensuring that lower-income groups and farmers, regardless of their ethnicity or location, would benefit.
This includes areas such as Sabah and Sarawak, which often face additional challenges.
At the event, the prime minister stressed the importance of collaboration in solving these persistent issues, noting that effective planning and teamwork would be crucial in tackling the ongoing challenges related to housing, food prices, education, and healthcare.
He added, "I was prepared from day one when I took office, and I have worked tirelessly to address these problems quickly. With proper planning and cooperation, we can resolve these challenges. There’s no point in playing the blame game after we retire. The focus should always be on action, not excuses."
The ceremony was attended by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, both of whom also reiterated the need for united efforts to address the housing crisis and other social issues facing the country. – February 15, 2025