Don't condescend, rakyat will back GST, subsidy cuts for more in return: Rafizi to Anwar
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Former Malaysian economy minister Rafizi Ramli has criticized Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for avoiding unpopular but necessary fiscal reforms. Rafizi argues that the government should implement policies like the GST and subsidy cuts to strengthen the economy rather than fearing voter backlash.
Why it matters
The internal political friction highlights the difficult trade-offs between fiscal responsibility and political survival in Malaysia.
News ✕ Don't condescend, rakyat will back GST, subsidy cuts for more in return: Rafizi to Anwar Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain Published: Oct 8, 2026 10:11 AM Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's supposed prioritisation of votes over policy development appears to remain a sore point for former economy minister Rafizi Ramli.
Presenting Bersama's shadow Budget 2027, the party's co-leader argued that while some of its fiscal reform proposals may be unpopular, politicians should not be too quick to patronise the rakyat.
Besides abolishing several cash aid schemes and the Budi95 fuel subsidy in favour of more targeted monthly assistance, the shadow budget also proposes...
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's supposed prioritisation of votes over policy development appears to remain a sore point for former economy minister Rafizi Ramli.
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