2023: A tough year for any government - Annuar Musa

SHAH ALAM - Any government that has been chosen to lead the country today, would be facing challenges that 2023 is about to bring.

This, former Ketereh MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa said could be seen through this year’s subsidy provision in which RM77 billion was spent by the government which was more than double the original allocation which was RM33 billion.

He said the huge amount was similar to the allocation for development and it might not be sustainable.

The government, he said had to spend RM77 billion to maintain the subsidies so that the inflation rate remained low and the cost of living was under control.

“Based on my understanding on the government’s journey and scenario, 2023 would be very difficult to anyone who became the government.

“The huge amount of subsidies (spent in 2022) was almost the same as the allocation amount for the development and it might not be sustainable, which will make the situation in 2023 become more unbearable,” he said.

Annuar said this during Sinar Harian’s Sinar Live programme entitled “Apa khabar Annuar Musa?” which was broadcasted live on all Sinar Harian digital platforms on Thursday.

Apart from the subsidies, Annuar said the electricity tariff which should have been increased in 2021 may also lead to the government having to spend RM17 billion just to maintain the tariff, next year.

During the interview, Annuar also expressed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was capable enough to lead the country due to the latter’s experience in the government and handling various ministries.

He said it was crucial for Anwar to have a team that could support him and work towards helping the government resolve problems faced by the people in the country.

Annuar also said it was not fair to make judgements too early on whether or not the Prime Minister was capable enough to govern the country and that the latter should be given a chance.

“A government has been chosen and the process to form a government has been completed, so there is no need for politicking.

“I feel that this is not the time to make judgements on Anwar. It is a fact that Anwar has the experience and capability to run the government.

“If we talk about his leadership, he has gone through fire and his own unique episode of struggle which enriched his experiences. It now depends on his team,” he said.