PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim said state leaders must act wisely and not hurl insults to set a good example for the youth

He said leaders must speak more about their state’s development plans.

“Propagation efforts call for righteousness, this is something that is demanded… there must be wisdom. Preach with virtue, and not with insults. 

“We must show good leadership. We must explain what we want to do, what we have done… the problem in Kedah is that it is one of the poorest states,” he said at a Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional ceramah in Jitra last night.

Also present were Jitra candidate Sabrina Ahmad of PH and Bukit Kayu Hitam candidate Zainol Abidin Mohamad of BN.

Anwar said state leaders should also work with the federal government to bring development and investments to their states.

“I brought in a German investor, big decision, to Kulim in Kedah. It was not him (caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor), (but) the federal government… the one who built the Kulim Hi-Tech Park  who brought in investments. Last month, (the investor) came to negotiate with me, not negotiate with them (Kedah government).

“Why did he come to negotiate with me? Not because I am Anwar, but because I am the leader of the unity government. The unity government is stable; who is the unity government? Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional that includes Umno and Keadilan (PKR).

“Kedah is one of the poor states. To win we need a leader who is not the type to shout and insult, someone who knows how to do the job, and can negotiate with the federal government. (If you) want to support a government, support the one that can contribute. Those who want to talk do not need to be elected representatives. if they want to lead, they must have policies,” he said, in an apparent reference to Sanusi, who is known for his brash and confrontational style of speaking.

Anwar urged the people of Kedah to give the unity government a chance to improve their lives.

“We want to find a way to improve the fate of the people of Kedah, I ask you to believe in one thing, that we will do the best we can, we pray that we do our best, to raise the dignity of the people of our country, starting in Kedah,” he said.

Earlier in Alor Star, the prime minister said there were signs Kedah voters were rejecting leaders who were troublemakers and liked to insult and curse at others.

“There is a ‘movement’ where the people (of Kedah) no longer want (leaders) to quarrel… the people of Kedah want a united state, to develop the economy and take care of the poor.

“This (individual) is using his power to insult people. It’s not good to be like that, it’s okay to argue a little bit, but don’t hurl insults every single day,” he said.– Bernama, August 5, 2023.