Pm Drops Hint On Extraordinary Tribute Cites Rising Cost Of Living

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has hinted that the long-anticipated “extraordinary tribute” for Malaysians will centre on new measures to address the rising cost of living.
According to Berita Harian, Anwar said his team at the Finance Ministry is finalising the details before making a formal announcement in the coming days.
“The issue our country is facing is the cost of living. Salary and allowance hikes for civil servants this year alone cost RM10 billion, and next year it will increase by another RM18 billion. Combined with the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah allocation of RM13 billion, that’s RM23 billion,” said Anwar, who is also the finance minister.
“The rise in living costs is not only happening in Malaysia, but globally as well. Still, I am looking for solutions and alternatives.
ADS“Every day, the Finance Ministry is working hard to find an approach that can be announced soon - something that must be announced to address the cost of living.
“So just wait. If not Monday, then Tuesday. The announcement will come in two or three more days. It will be a major one. We just want to make sure everything is solid first. Pray for the best,” he added.
Anwar said this during a speech in Bukit Mertajam at the launch of the Bumiputera Master Plan, Tunas Madani and the JKPSB Housing Project at Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Penang campus.
Previously, the prime minister teased the announcement on his official Facebook page, describing it as an “extraordinary tribute” for the people.
However, he did not provide further details, prompting online speculations and memes by detractors.
Judges to be sworn in
On another matter, Anwar said eight newly appointed Court of Appeal judges and 14 High Court judges are scheduled to be sworn in on July 28.
He said the appointment process had gone through all the necessary stages, including the assessment by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), discussions with the Malay rulers and the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“Many have asked me why it was not announced earlier. I cannot answer arbitrarily because the process of appointing judges involves the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“It needs to go through discussions with the rulers, and after it is agreed, it will then be brought back to the Agong for consent,” he said in his speech, Bernama reported.
He stressed that no judges were removed or dismissed as some parties have portrayed, rather the process of selecting new judges must be done carefully and with full respect for the constitutional monarchy system. - Mkini

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