KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH) has schooled opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut-PN) over a quip made in the Dewan Rakyat today.
In a follow-up question to Anwar’s explanation on his question on new innovations of the Madani Economy framework that differ from the now-defunct 2030 Shared Prosperity Vision, Hamzah referenced the prime minister’s previous interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour.
“This is a good answer. You (Anwar) should have answered like this when CNN asked you (about Malaysia’s economic policies). This is why I asked (about the Madani Economy),” said Hamzah to scattered laughter from the opposition bloc.
The Bersatu secretary-general went on to press Anwar to explain “in detail” his administration’s plan to tackle the rising cost of goods.
Responding to Hamzah’s comment on his interview with CNN, which was aired on September 23, Anwar chided the former home minister for coming to his own conclusions based on snippets of the session, instead of the full interview.
“I recommend that you watch the entire interview and not just (pass comments) based on ‘cut and paste’ snippets.
“The full interview can be watched, but there are elements of slander (by those who) purposely cut (the interview video) to make it seem as if my answers were not complete.
“During my dialogue session with the Council on Foreign Relations, I gave the same explanations as what I said during the CNN interview. Don’t just read into the ‘cut and paste’ (snippets), pay attention to the full interview,” Anwar said to rounds of applause.
Previously, Anwar’s performance in the CNN interview had received plaudits from political analysts, who commended his adept handling of key issues, including current criticism over his handling of “contentious internal affairs”.
Meanwhile, Anwar also told the Dewan Rakyat that his administration had decided to not continue with the 2030 Shared Prosperity Vision after determining that the nation is now in post-normal times after the Covid-19 global pandemic.
“Recommendations to implement policies that align with our values, religion and local thought as well as issues might not necessarily be in accordance with initial suggestions by the World Bank.
“We will utilise views expressed by the World Bank, but we must also understand that there are some restrictions because their understanding of our religion, values and local markets is not as quick as that of our local economists.
“While we take into account views from international experts, including the World Bank, we cannot just ‘ciplak’ (copy) such thoughts and make it part of our national policies.”
He also said that the 2030 Shared Prosperity Vision had its own share of weaknesses as it focused on universal matters without emphasising good governance issues and local problems.
In 2019, then-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had introduced the 2030 Shared Prosperity Vision, which aimed to provide a decent living standard to all Malaysians by the year 2030.
Circa 2013, the World Bank Group had introduced the concept of shared prosperity as one of its missions to help free the world of poverty, with the term centred around two elements, which were economic growth and equity. – October 9, 2023