Anwar's administration faces pressing economic issues - Dr M

BENTONG — Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has claimed that Malaysia faces pressing economic issues under the administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In a speech at Dataran Purnama in Pelangai for the Ceramah Mega Perikatan Nasional (PN), Dr Mahathir said that the ringgit is now weak and that rice prices have increased. He also accused Anwar of being a liar.

"So, here we are, with Anwar becoming the Prime Minister. But there's nothing he's done except that the ringgit is now weak. Now, RM5 equals only 1 US dollar. This is his biggest achievement.

“We used to buy more with RM5. Now, we can't purchase anything with RM5. This is Anwar's so-called greatest success.

"Anwar promised to lower prices for the Rakyat, but it was the Prime Minister who raised rice prices.

"People have no rice to eat, to the point where some are starving and resorting to suicide," Dr Mahathir said.

The former Langkawi MP also slammed the alliance between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), saying that it is primarily aimed at saving Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"Zahid has stated, 'we will not work with DAP, we will not cooperate with Anwar'.

"But behind the scenes, it's a different story. Their struggle appears to be solely about saving Zahid, not about helping the people or the economy," Dr Mahathir added.

The Pelangai by-election tomorrow would see a three-cornered fight between Datuk Amizar Abu Adam from BN, Kasim Samat from PN and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni.