KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has issued a direct order to all ministries to realign their initiatives and assistance programmes, ensuring that government resources are precision-targeted to shield the poor and vulnerable from the escalating global supply crisis.
Chairing the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meeting today, Anwar said that as the crisis puts increasing pressure on the prices of daily goods, it is imperative that no citizen is left behind.
“Taking into account the impact of the crisis, which is increasingly putting pressure on the prices of daily goods, I have instructed every ministry to realign initiatives, efforts and assistance so that they reach the target groups and ensure no one is left behind, especially the poor and vulnerable groups,” he said in a statement online.
The directive comes as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Malaysia’s economic resilience.
During the meeting, the prime minister highlighted that the government is prioritising the survival of the “rakyat” at the grassroots level. This includes a push for all local authorities (PBT) nationwide to emulate the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Mara by reducing rental rates for hawker stalls and small business premises to offset rising operating costs.
Anwar described this as a “compassionate approach” necessary for the sustainability of small businesses facing “increasingly challenging global economic conditions.” He stressed that local councils must play an active role in easing the burden on traders who form the backbone of the local economy.
The PM reiterated that MTEN will remain focused on guaranteeing supply continuity and protecting vulnerable groups from further economic shocks.
