Anwar hits out at claims by 'turbaned people' that his govt victimises opposition states

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed allegations by some that his government is victimising states ruled by the opposition.

He said the federal government had instead increased allocations for opposition-controlled states, including Kedah which is led by Perikatan Nasional (PN).

"For Johor, the allocations were increased; Kedah also got higher allocations. Alhamdulillah. But some people wearing turbans claim that Anwar victimised them (opposition states). This is a lie. I hope you all understand.

"I know the meaning of slander. I know the pain of being beaten. I know what it is like to suffer in a lock-up. Now that I am the prime minister, why would I be cruel to people?" he said when addressing the Madani Kedah 2023 gathering in Alor Setar last night.

Anwar added that as the prime minister, he was not out to make enemies of anyone and instead wanted to rebuild the country together with people who defend integrity.

He called on the people including those in Kedah to support the coalition government because of its policy of upholding the dignity of the people and country.

"Holding a Raya gathering is not about winning or losing elections. We are providing food not to fish for votes. I don’t want people to support me because of that," he said.

He said he also wanted to prove to the country and the world that there were Malays who could lead Malaysia well and who were capable of bringing change in the name of Islam.

"I want to show that under the leadership of Islam, we can govern well and uphold justice for all, and I hope that the young people in this country will also bring this change, not with hatred but with love," he said.

The Madani gathering was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub.