Selangor Journal: Reform agenda still important, but smart implementation needed — Anwar
SHAH ALAM, April 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured that the administration and he remain committed to the reform agenda amid criticism of the government over its slow implementation.
However, it must be carried out with the utmost care, taking into consideration public support and its widespread impact, rather than bulldozing reforms through, which will only benefit a small number of people.
“We remain committed to reform and will implement them, but the speed (of it) must depend on the government’s capability and wisdom.
“We cannot implement a reform that will only benefit a small group of people while damning the government to collapse in the process.
“So there has to be wisdom to resolve all these issues,’’ he said in his keynote speech during Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s 25th-anniversary celebrations at the Ideal Convention Centre today.
Anwar, who is also Keadilan’s president, affirmed the strong cooperation among all the political parties and their leaders within the unity coalition, stating there has not been any major disagreement at the Cabinet level.
However, he cautioned dissident actors within the Unity Government that their criticisms would not sway the administration’s spirit of cooperation.
“To all those who grumbled, acting like desperados who tried to complain, to them I say good luck and goodbye,’’ Anwar said to roaring applause from the over 3,500 party delegates in attendance.
The Prime Minister again voiced his bewilderment of Opposition politicians, who allegedly protect rich tycoons and those who engaged in corruption, adding that their nativist rhetoric often misleads the public but who had not enacted meaningful changes for the people.
“The battle against the corrupt is never easy. First, they are personalities with enormous wealth; second, they have networking among those in government and the Opposition.
“That is why the Opposition is relatively muted when it comes to our attempts and efforts to go against the corrupt,’’ he said.
