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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright May 2023
So many why(s) for the PMX.
Khairul Nizam Ziauddin expresses what many have long thought about what PMX ought to be doing rather than try to be a popular PM.
Khairul is the only one whom I know, who has enough guts to voice out what he feels through Focus Malaysia recently, telling off PMX, "It’s time Anwar got his act together and stop jet-setting around the world to gain popularity. Get down to work and do what matters, which is to help the people and revive the economy."
He is an SME owner and he is extremely troubled because the government plans to make employers increase EPF contributions to 20% when business is just about to pick up again after a long period of inactivity because of Covid19 shutdown.
Khairul says, "What irks us most at this time is the move by the current Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim administration for employers to contribute 20% towards the EPF."
He said the timing for such a move is totally inappropriate because most businesses are just trying to get back on their feet, "To most business operators like us, this move by the PM is seen as nothing more than a populist move in view of the upcoming state elections."
The PM is perceived by many, not just by people like Khairul, as trying to win votes in coming elections rather than manage the economy more effectively.
Increasing contributions by employers for instance, may win approval from employees but in the long run the economy suffers.
Forcing employers to pay more EPF is certainly not going to please SME owners. In the long run, it would probably force many companies to relocate to a more conducive and business-friendly government. There goes your FDI. That would be a setback for our economy which is yet to recover fully from Covid19 shutdown.
Raising interest rates too would not be helpful for businesses that will automatically opt for lower-interest loans and trade facilities elsewhere in the region.
I fully agree with Khairul Nizam Ziauddin when he says, "One thing the current administration can do to really win over the rakyat, many of whom are still suffering, is to put a stop to the move by Bank Negara Malaysia to raise the OPR."
I couldn't agree more with Khairul when he said, PMX shouldn't be "burdening the people by raising the OPR" and neither should he overlook the sufferings of the people caused by rising food costs which keep growing upwards by the day.
By the way, why is the petrol prices not way down as promised by Pakatan Harapan before GE15? Anyway, we are glad it is not getting any higher any time soon.
Why do we still pay toll?
Why is the economic minister not saying anything about the economy?
Who is managing the economy?
So many why(s)!
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