The Malaysian Insight

ANNUAR Musa, who leads the inflation task force, is not the man for the job, Amanah’s Khalid Samad said.

In fact, he said, Annuar presents more of a problem to the inflation issue. 

Khalid said the government should retract its decision on subsidy removal.

“Since we have a memorandum of understanding (between Putrajaya and the opposition), (the government) should discuss with the opposition before making a decision,” Khalid said during a protest on the high cost of living at Masjid Jamek in Kuala Lumpur today.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the cabinet has agreed to form the Special Task Force on Jihad Against Inflation to help Malaysian families face the rising cost of living.

Annuar was picked to chair the task force and the decision was criticised by opposition lawmakers, who said no minister or ordinary politician is suitable for the job because inflation issues should be handled by highly technical minds. 

They said economists and technocrats from Bank Negara Malaysia should be leading the nation’s fight against inflation, not Annuar, who is communications and multimedia minister.

Khalid also said there were many problems already when Annuar became Federal Territories minister.

“He is a guy who would prioritise what he wants, not the people.”

The other ministers in the committee are Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Economic Affairs Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Agriculture and Food Industries minister Ronald Kiandee, and Domestic Trade And Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Meanwhile, Taman Templer Assemblyman Sany Hamzan warned Amanah would hold another protest if Putrajaya does not address the rising cost of living by July 16.

“A bigger rally will be held on July 16 if the government fails to fulfil demands related to the food crisis facing the people.” – July 1, 2022.