‘He applied, I approved': Anwar says of RM486,000 Japan trip bill for Dr Mahathir
Anwar said the government allocated approximately RM486,000 for the visit after receiving a formal application from Tun Dr Mahathir.
'There are existing provisions for former prime ministers to apply (for government support for official travel)...and if the sitting prime minister approves, the government will bear the cost, including for Tun Mahathir, who recently requested to attend the Nikkei conference in Japan. He applied, and I approved. I believe the delegation was around seven people.
'I have people asking me why pay for him. He is entitled to apply, but the decision rests with the sitting prime minister...and I decided to approve that RM486,000 for him to go to Japan.
'I just don't want anyone to misunderstand...I just don't want to take a negative attitude. Despite his daily criticisms of the government, we still approved his (travel) application,' Anwar told reporters here yesterday.
On May 30, Tun Dr Mahathir was reported to have attended and delivered a speech at the annual Nikkei Future of Asia conference, a platform he has regularly attended over the years.
On separate development, Anwar said he is giving time to two Cabinet ministers who recently submitted resignation letters, encouraging them to reconsider their decisions.
The Prime Minister said he received the letters from the two ministers applying for leave and resignation, but he had only approved the leave for now.
'...Let them think about it. Personally, I would prefer that they rejoin the Cabinet,' he said.
The ministers in question – Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad – reportedly submitted their resignations following defeats in recent party elections.
The Prime Minister was met after attending an organisational empowerment seminar and a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders here today.
Also present were two PKR vice-presidents Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, secretary-general Senator Fuziah Salleh, Wanita chief Fadhlina Sidek, Youth chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim and Hang Tuah Jaya division chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
During the seminar, Anwar called on PKR members to heal internal rifts and put aside dissatisfaction following the party polls last month.He also stressed the need for unity and maturity for the party's greater mission.
'Imagine this – I can work with Umno, even hugging it out. Surely we can move past our internal disagreements too. Let's move on for the bigger agenda,' he added. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
Urgent need to address plight of Indian community, says Anwar
PETALING JAYA: While poverty is most prevalent among Malays due to their larger population, the Indian community faces a far sharper struggle, particularly in abandoned estate settlements, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said their plight must be urgently addressed, with housing and livelihood issues among the top priorities. Anwar reaffirmed that the government's poverty eradication framework is based on need rather than race with a clear focus on eliminating hardcore poverty across all communities. He said allocations under the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah scheme have significantly benefited Indian households, beginning with RM500 million in 2022 and rising to RM972 million by 2025. He also cited the RM1.2 billion Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme, along with targeted allocations for education and housing. Responding to calls for the revival of programmes such as the Amanah Saham Masyarakat India to boost equity ownership, he cautioned against framing poverty solely in racial terms. 'Even Malays, who make up 60% of the population, have yet to reach 30% equity. The challenge cuts across all races,' he said, pointing out that almost RM1 billion was directed in 2024 alone to poor Indian households, particularly in estates. He added that long-term solutions depend on strengthening SMEs and entrepreneurship. 'We can achieve zero hardcore poverty – families having food, shelter, schooling and transport. That is achievable. But poverty as a relative concept will always exist. 'Hardcore poverty, however, we can and must end.' Anwar also dismissed claims that aid for the Indian community is channelled solely through the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra). He said Mitra's RM100 million allocation represents only part of a broader pool of support coordinated across ministries. 'In 2024, out of the RM100 million allocated for Mitra, RM98.9 million was spent, benefiting more than 122,000 members of the Indian community.' He said this included RM93 million in early education subsidies, RM17.6 million in higher education aid for the Indian B40 group and RM2.99 million for 6,000 laptops distributed to Tamil schools. He added that for this year, the government is adopting a more integrated approach, ensuring Mitra works closely with ministries to maximise impact. 'For example, if the Housing and Local Government Ministry spends RM20 million on housing projects, Mitra will top up with an additional RM5 million to cover shortfalls. 'ICT laboratory equipment for 50 Tamil schools will also be jointly funded by the Education Ministry and Mitra. The main focus remains education and poverty alleviation, but development must not be fragmented.'
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
13MP addresses realities of a rapidly ageing society
Planning for an ageing population: Customers watching Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan on July 31. One of the landmark features of the 13MP is the introduction of the National Ageing Blueprint, which adopts a life-course approach to ageing. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
1,000 Madani parks planned for greener Malaysia
Sustainability first: (From left) Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) Malaysia president Datuk Ho Hon Sang, Green Real Estate (GreenRE) chairman Datuk Seri FD Iskandar, Nga and Rehda Institute chairman Datuk Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip posing for a photo during the opening ceremony of IGBC 2025. PETALING JAYA: Some 1,000 Madani recreational parks will be created across the country over the next decade as part of efforts to promote sustainable urban living and development. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who disclosed this, said a safely decommissioned landfill in Bandar Tenggara, Johor, was transformed into a public park recently. 'This milestone not only helps mitigate environmental pollution and eliminate odour issues, it also provides the community with much-needed green spaces for recreation, leisure and social activities. 'Such green elements serve as vital nature-based solutions to urban challenges. This includes mitigating flash floods and reducing the urban heat island effect, making our cities more liveable and resilient,' he said in his keynote address at the International Green Build Conference (IGBC) 2025 here yesterday. Nga said the government was seeking US$20mil (RM84mil) from the Global Climate Adaptation Fund to help scale up climate-resilient, nature-based solutions in Kuala Lumpur after previously securing US$10mil from the fund for similar projects in Penang. He said at least 20% of garbage trucks operating in the country would comprise electric vehicles by 2027 as part of the ministry's public cleansing reforms. This change would be introduced for all states currently implementing the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, he added. 'We will also introduce night-time cleaning services so as not to disrupt traffic flow and to better suit our country's climate. 'Comprehensive cleaning using water jets at strategic locations will also be implemented ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026,' he said.
