RM16b in SARA, STR aid for Malaysians as helping the poor won’t bankrupt the govt, says Anwar
KOTA BHARU, Oct 31 — The government will not become poor or go bankrupt by helping the less fortunate, as the real...
KOTA BARU: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim clarified that aiding the underprivileged would not harm the nation's finances, but poor governance and misconduct could weaken and destroy it instead. He reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to supporting the poor and vulnerable, even as it increased civil servants' salaries, at an estimated cost of RM18 billion for 2026.
The cost-of-living assistance allocated this year totaled RM16 billion, but Anwar emphasized that these commitments would not burden the country. The Prime Minister made these remarks at the inauguration of the Skim Usahawan Bangkit Negeri Kelantan program in Kelantan. While on a one-day tour of the state, Anwar reiterated the government's focus on assisting those with the lowest incomes, particularly those in the B40 category, as stated in Budget 2027.
The government also prioritized empowering small entrepreneurs, especially women, through various assistance programs. The Sejati Madani program for entrepreneurs in Kelantan had received approximately 4,000 applications, of which 440 had been approved, with most applicants being women. Anwar stated that the government would continue approving the remaining applications, noting that female borrowers under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia had a 99% repayment rate, compared to slightly longer repayment periods for male borrowers.
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