KUBANG PASU: In a rare occasion, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim poked fun at Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor in public, telling the Kedah Menteri Besar that things can be resolved easily if the latter speaks up in a proper manner.
Anwar made the remarks in his speech at the Madani Aidilfitri 2024 celebration held at Tasik Darulaman here this evening, after Sanusi extended his apologies to the prime minister in the spirit of Hari Raya celebration during his welcoming speech.
Anwar said this while announcing an immediate approval to an allocation application of between RM30 million to RM40 million requested during a state development briefing session that he attended earlier today.
"In eradicating hardcore poverty, we put priority on people's centric projects. That is why the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and the Housing and Local Government Ministry are working together to develop the People's Housing Project.
"We will integrate this initiative with the state government's proposal to develop 'kampung tersusun' for the poor families, I have asked it to be coordinated (with the ministries), if there is a need for additional allocation of between RM30 million to RM40 million, I will approve immediately for the sake of the poor people.
"I wish to inform Datuk Sanusi, I am simple person. If you speak up properly we can resolve everything," quips Anwar with a broad smile as the crowd were left in stitches.
Anwar acknowledged that he and Sanusi have some minor differences and approaches but that should not be a big problem.
"We should work together to resolve the people's issues. Yes, we have some differences in opinions and approaches but that should not be an issue," he said.
Anwar also responded to Sanusi's apologies by extending his personal apologies to the menteri besar, in conjunction with the Hari Raya celebration.
"Under the spirit of lessons, we learnt from the month of Ramadan, we must improve our kindness. It is a challenge to all of us to really do what we preach.
"I wish also to thank the menteri besar.. I hardly express my gratitude to the menteri besar but I wish to extend my appreciation to the menteri besar and state exco members for a proper welcoming for the federal delegation led by me (to Wisma Darul Aman) earlier today," he said.
In his speech, Anwar also announced a joint initiative between the federal and the state governments to liberate some 2,500 families in Kedah from the hardcore poverty trap within two months.
He stressed that hardcore poverty should be put to an end as it is illogical that there are a group of people who are living without proper meals, shirts and pocket money for children to attend school.
"I wish for the full cooperation extended by the state government to the federal agencies under the ICU (Implementation Coordination Unit).
"We want to liberate the 2,500 families from harcore poverty trap within two months as the main example how we can end hardcore poverty issue in Kedah.
"I believe this cooperation with yield good results, we don't want Malay-majority states to have Malay and Muslim families living under such hardship," he said.
