Anwar thanks Malaysian for support, apologises for delay in fulfilling promises, says senior aide
KUALA LUMPUR (July 24): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his gratitude to all Malaysians for their continued support and patience as the government works to rebuild the country's finances and deliver on reform promises.
In the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Daily Briefing today, senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah reiterated the Prime Minister's apology, delivered yesterday, for the delay in fulfilling some of his earlier promises made before taking office.
'Since day one of leading the country at the end of 2022, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has never stopped working to improve the nation's financial standing for the wellbeing of the people.
'Now that the country's finances are gradually recovering, the government can offer targeted assistance to ease the people's burden amid global economic uncertainty,' said Tunku Nashrul.
He also pointed to revelations by investigative journalists Bradley Hope and Tom Wright that Malaysia had lost US$18 billion in the 1MDB scandal, which is a stark reminder of the fiscal damage inherited by the Madani Government from past administrations.
Despite relentless attacks and personal insults by certain parties, including Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and other opposition leaders, Tunku Nashrul said Anwar remains focused and undeterred.
'While some use social media daily to ridicule the Madani Government's efforts, the Prime Minister has neither flinched nor taken these insults personally,' he said.
Tunku Nashrul highlighted the government's recent measures to ease cost-of-living pressures, including the reduction of RON95 petrol prices from RM2.05 to RM1.99 per litre, and a one-off RM100 cash assistance to all Malaysian adults.
'This also marks the first time in our history that all citizens, regardless of social status, receive a direct benefit from the government in conjunction with National Day celebrations,' he noted.
These initiatives, he said, will begin rolling out this year, starting with the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid on Aug 31.
Tunku Nashrul clarified that these recent announcements are based on the current fiscal capacity of the government and are additional measures to what was planned in Budget 2025, specifically to ease the people's burden of the rising cost of living.
He also took a pointed jab at Sanusi's public remarks, saying:
'I'd like to take a moment to help Datuk Seri Sanusi understand the difference between 'assistance' and 'budget' – a basic administrative concept that appears to elude him despite his time in office.
'Everything announced yesterday has nothing to do with Budget 2026. That budget only applies in the year 2026, which is why it's called Budget 2026.'
Tunku Nashrul emphasised that details of additional assistance and initiatives for next year will be announced during the tabling of Budget 2026, scheduled for October.
He concluded by saying that the Madani Government is committed to sharing national prosperity more broadly, but urged for fewer political distractions that could derail national recovery efforts.
'The Prime Minister's Office remains open should the Kedah Menteri Besar require a concise or detailed briefing to avoid further confusion or distortion when commenting on public finance,' he added. – Bernama
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