‘Grassroots want someone with same heart and mind as Anwar’
Hence, there are appointments that did not have anything to do with the party. While the matter is seen to be Dr Mahathir’s prerogative, we cannot avoid the murmurs down below that link a certain individual with Dr Mahathir. For example, Azmin cannot run away from being seen as being close to Dr Mahathir. Is that something to be considered as positive or a burden in PKR? This is because in PKR, the grassroots demand a (leadership) partner who is of the same heart and mind as Anwar. Q: With Anwar poised to return to Parliament, do you think Dr Mahathir will have to immediately step down as prime minister?
A:
That matter is stipulated under the consensus of PH. The consensus was for Dr Mahathir to be the seventh prime minister, Anwar to be released from jail immediately and given a royal pardon to advance his participation in politics before becoming the eighth prime minister. The timeline was not discussed (by the PH leadership).
It was never written that Dr Mahathir would serve for two years or for how many years. It was Dr Mahathir who said that he may serve only for two years.
To me, I agree that Anwar’s return to Parliament as a backbencher should not be delayed. This is because the changing of the guard should not take place drastically.
We want a free Parliament, executives to focus on administration and a free judiciary. Anwar’s return to Parliament is only natural.
It is not that when he returns as a member of parliament he will become prime minister the next day.
He can make his way into the administration and become a senior minister through a senatorship. It is not just about being a prime minister or minister. Q: There are rumours that Dr Mahathir is grooming Azmin as the next prime minister.
A:
I leave this matter to people’s opinion and perception. This is because my opinion is something else, news editors will have a different outlook and people will have a different take on this.
I do not think that it is wrong if there are views that Dr Mahathir is grooming Azmin to be the next prime minister. There is nothing wrong with that. Q: What do you think of Dr Mahathir’s administration?
A:
There are many differences between Dr Mahathir’s administration or PH governments, and the previous Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s government. We should express our gratitude to Dr Mahathir for his contribution to reigniting the people’s faith in the government. But at the same time, the road to meet people’s demands and expectations is challenging.
I am satisfied with his administration. It adheres to the platforms of our policies. But I will continue to voice out on matters relating to the price of goods and job opportunities.
We have to continue to relay our views on his administration, that although with the present hindrances, PH must be seen as working hard to resolve issues affecting the people. Q: Do you think Dr Mahathir leads with an iron fist?
A:
No, I do not think that Dr Mahathir rules with an iron fist, which means if you voice out grouses, then you will be jailed under the (now repealed) Internal Security Act or arrested if you say something that does not sit well with the government.
I feel that the way (Dr Mahathir’s) administration was back in the 1980s and 1990s, there is a change in the style and approach. So it is not right to say that Dr Mahathir is an iron-fisted leader.
If there are views on Dr Mahathir’s administration, they are not about whether he is an ironfisted leader. They are about how fast and how many (GE14 promises) have been fulfilled.
I understand that the culture of providing cabinet members with blank cheques allows them to do everything. However, the people, PH leaders and the media must continuously criticise. I am confident that Dr Mahathir is receptive to criticisms. For example, I do not agree with his proposal to start a third national car project. But that does not mean that I am against him
We need to focus on fuel price, salaries and goods.
I feel that the disagreement does not hurt PH. Such a culture, where we advise and criticise each other (albeit constructively), must continue, even when Anwar is the prime minister. Q: Are there discrepancies in the administration?
A:
I think to be fair, it is too early to say anything about it. The cabinet was only set up in June. So it means that many of them (in the line-up) have only been ministers for a month and don’t even have officers. I would give them time. But if there are general criticisms (of the administration), I think the (relevant) ministers should explain the government’s position or stand on the matter, without attacking the opposition. Q: Do you think that PH could meet all the pledges within the 100 days of the administration?
A:
The 100-day period is over (on Friday). I feel there are some pledges that could not be met within that time frame, just like the one concerning the National Higher Education Fund Corporation borrowers. What is more important is that for the government to be seen as sincere in working to achieve the goal. If they cannot fulfil them all within 100 days, that is okay, as long as there is a plan to make it work. I would be worried if the promises were swept under the carpet if they were not fulfilled. Q: The government is saying that it could not meet many of the pledges due to the high national debt. Can such a reason pacify the people?
A:
The people should know about the country’s financial state. But there is a limit to how long such a reason (debts) will stand to be accepted by them. For example, if we are to enter a house with a leaky roof and broken windows, people will acknowledge that the house is in a bad state.
But if the situation persists, people will ask those occupying the house to move out. I agree that the country’s financial state must be made known to the people, but it must be done tactfully.
People would want to know with the current situation, how can we get from point A to point B? If we are to be prudent, how do we do it? This is for people to be fair in their judgment. Q: What is your take on the Sales and Services Tax (SST)? A:
Policy-wise, the burden of tax on the people is reduced through SST, compared with GST. SST is implemented only on 70,000 items and services, while GST affected almost 420,000 items and services. It means SST affects only one-sixth of the items and services under GST.
SST is not a multilevel tax. It does not impose a tax on profit. And when Barisan Nasional implemented GST, it only considered matters that were on paper, which says if traders can claim a refund on tax input, that will decrease the cost of business and, subsequently, reduce the price of goods.
I have warned them right from the beginning, what is on paper is not the same as the people’s way of thinking.
A trader will think that if he or she can make a bit of profit (due to GST), why not? Naturally, they will want to make more profit. That is why other countries that implemented GST saw an increase in the price of goods.
If the PH government takes into account the difference between theoretical and practical outcomes, there will be a lot of matters to be done to ensure that the price of goods will not increase. Price control or monitoring will have to be more comprehensive.
The problem now is the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry does not have enough enforcement officers to monitor the prices of goods.
Previously, there were efforts in place to have the people report any discrepancy, but it was not effective. The PH government must find a way to encourage people to do so. It cannot be assumed that with SST, all prices will be lower, because there will be an increase in prices of some items or services. What are the gaps that need to be bridged? The PH government must draft a clear plan about this.