IMPROVING the national economy is the focus of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government this year, said PKR president and Port Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim today.

He said improvements should not only be measured by looking at the statistics.

“It should not be about the amount of investments (we attract).

“It should be gauged by how the people, especially those in the lower income group, the rural and urban poor, irrespective of their race, can be assisted,” he said at the Sarawak PH Chinese New Year gathering in Kuching today.

“When we (the government) talk about development and progress, we must be mindful of the common citizens.

“Not just statistics or the performance of the stock market.

“The question should always be how we can assist in alleviating the problems and livelihoods of our poor citizens.”

He said PH’s notion of development is not to enrich just a few, alluding to the practices of the ousted Barisan Nasional government whose key leaders are now on defending themselves against charges of corruption and abuse of power.

In reiterating PH’s commitment to good governance, Anwar said the coalition’s value is to “ensure every citizen, including the poorest in the rural heartland are given assistance and protection of their equality”.

“Governance is important. We won the general election because the people are convinced PH will get rid of cronyism and look after the welfare of the people.”

On politicians who resort to racism to stay relevant, Anwar said race-baiting “is the politics of the desperate, who have no strength, morality or integrity”.

“Racism is the last refuge of scoundrels,” he said, responding to those who criticised PH as “forgetting” the special rights of the Malays and bowing to the pressure of the economically powerful Chinese.

“In PH, we will continue to protect the spirit of the constitution. But this country will assist other races.

“It is a question of humanity and being humane is in the teaching of Islam.”

Anwar said Islam teaches one to know and respect fellow human beings, irrespective of race or religion.

He added if there are elements that spark friction between races, they are only played up by scoundrels.

“They are people who stoutly defend cronyism, corruption and narrow xenophobic nationalism.” – February 1, 2020.