Anwar raps Kadir Jasin over post on Agong’s expenses

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 5 years ago · Published on 6 Jun 2018 10:01PM · 4 Comments

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim says the rulers have been used to the Umno government for 60 years. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, June 6, 2018.

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today chided Bersatu supreme council member Kadir Jasin for his disparaging remarks on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s expenses.

Anwar said the rights of all people should be respected as Pakatan Harapan has worked hard to gain the rulers’ appreciation.

“People should not blame the rulers as they have been used to the Umno government for 60 years.

“We are not here to change the constitution or come up with preposterous laws,” he said during a PKR gathering at New World Hotel today.

Kadir in a blog post said that for 16 months to April this year, a total of RM256.9 million had been allocated to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for purposes of accommodation, maintenance of residence and palace, personal items, aircraft and transportation, training and escort equipment, clothing and ceremonial items, gifts and souvenirs, overseas visits and salaries of palace staff.

Kadir, however, did not state the source of his information regarding federal spending on the royals.

According to the Treasury, the government only allocates RM13.5 million annually for the Agong.

Anwar also said issuing such disparaging remarks without giving the rulers the opportunity to clarify them is unfair.

“I’ve seen some of the assertions, there are some major factual errors there. I think we should be mindful of that.”

Anwar said he will continue to meet with the rulers to get rid of the perception that PH is anti-monarchy.

“The new government is not ignoring the federal constitution and the provisions on Malay rights, the position of Bahasa Melayu and the position of Islam.

“I’m representing the views of the new leadership and we can assure that the rights of the Malays will be taken care of.”

Anwar also said he is unlikely to return to Parliament before its first session on July 16 as he has a list of other international and domestic commitments to fulfil.

Earlier, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said the party would start preparations to hold its party elections beginning this August.

PKR has been granted an 18-month extension until November to hold its congress while its party elections must be held before next February.

The gathering was attended by 51 out 67 PKR assemblyman with exception of Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali and Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin who are overseas. – June 6, 2018.

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Comments

  • OMG - is Kadir telling the truth or it is fake news. Anwar - please confirm - Truth or Lie!!! Remember - millions f Malaysian is struggling daily - to put a decent meal on their table fr their family

    Posted 5 years ago by Chris Ng · Reply

  • Kadir Jasin being a veteran newsman would have reported it as a newsworthy item deserving of public scrutiny and interest..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • AThe more Anwar speaks the more he displays his true character. And it does not seem very admirable. I have nothing against him and sympathise with all that he has been through. But in this current debate I have come to the conclusion that I do not want him as my PM
    because I do not like his values. He seems more concerned for the royals than the rakyat, worried about offending them, when it is the rakyat that is offended by the behaviour of the royals.
    Before the elections the Johore crown prince called Tun “ a forked- tongue” individual. The Selangor and Kelantan kings withdrew his awards without giving reasons. I consider these as insulting and disrespectful. Did Anwar address any of these issues when he went to kiss the hand of these royals?

    Posted 5 years ago by Noureddine Kassem · Reply

  • 1/4 of a billion in 18 mths. 5yrs term will be almost rm1 Billion,

    Posted 5 years ago by Peter Poh · Reply