'I am the one who approves these allocations' - Anwar dismiss claims Orang Asli funding at risk if PH wins
The Prime Minister said federal allocations were distributed in accordance with the Federal Constitution and were not dependent on election outcomes.
CHENNAH – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Transport Minister Anthony Loke have dismissed claims that federal allocations for Orang Asli communities would be withdrawn and Malay rights weakened if Pakatan Harapan (PH) wins the Negeri Sembilan state election, describing the allegations as false and politically motivated.
Speaking at the Minum Petang Bersama PMX programme in Simpang Durian, Jelebu, on yesterday (July 29) evening, Anwar said federal allocations were distributed in accordance with the Federal Constitution and were not dependent on election outcomes.
He said, as both Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the responsibility of approving allocations rested with the federal government regardless of which party won an election.
"Some people are telling the Orang Asli that if this candidate doesn't win, the allocations will be withdrawn. That is not true.
"I am the one who approves these allocations as Finance Minister, based on the law and the Federal Constitution. They will continue. There is no issue," he spoke to the crowd.
Anwar urged voters not to be swayed by politicians who champion certain communities only during election campaigns, stressing that the Madani Government remained committed to serving all Malaysians regardless of race or background.
"When there are Orang Asli issues, we help. When there are Malay issues, we help. Chinese, Indians, we help everyone.
"Malaysia must protect every citizen," he said.
He also highlighted several initiatives introduced under his administration, including financial assistance for military veterans who previously did not receive pensions and what he described as the largest civil service salary revision in the country's history after salaries had remained unchanged for more than a decade.
Earlier, Loke, who is contesting for the Chennah state seat, said he had been the target of numerous false accusations throughout the campaign.
The DAP secretary-general said among the claims include that Malays would lose political power if PH retained Negeri Sembilan, that he would become the state's Menteri Besar, and that he intended to interfere with the royal institution and the state's adat system.
"For the past few weeks, I have been the target of all kinds of slander.
"People have been spreading claims that if PH wins on Aug 1, Malays will lose power, that I will become the Menteri Besar, and that I am trying to interfere with the state's royal institution and adat. None of these claims are true," he said.
Loke said Anwar's visit to Simpang Durian had boosted the morale of PH campaign workers while reaffirming the federal government's commitment to local communities, including the Orang Asli.
He also dismissed claims that allocations for Orang Asli villages would cease if PH remained in power.
"I have explained to them that this is simply not true.
"The federal government is led by the Madani administration under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. If PH wins, Orang Asli communities will continue to receive the support and allocations they deserve," he said.
Addressing Malay voters, Loke said there was no basis for claims that a PH victory would undermine their constitutional position.
"Don't worry. If PH wins in Chennah and Negeri Sembilan, Malays will not lose power.
"The Prime Minister remains Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is Malay, and the Menteri Besar will also remain a Malay Muslim. There is nothing that Malays or the Orang Asli community need to fear," he said.
Loke thanked Orang Asli residents who attended the event despite what he described as attempts to intimidate them during the campaign, urging voters to reject fear-based politics in favour of policies that benefit all communities.
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