PMX needs to bridge widening trust deficit; even his call to pay more for avocado gets ridiculed big time!
ONE can imagine that whoever the Pakatan Harapan (PH) election strategy director is, he or she would be scratching his/her head as to how to defend the coalition's chairman ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16) which must be held before end-November 2027.
Never before had Malaysians at large being so hyper critical with statements that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made – presumably they would previously take with a pinch of salt if the Madani government founder went off tangent with statements articulated in bombastic Malay or English for he still merits respect as the Prime Minister.
But no longer so in recent times!
Over the weekend, trolling was prevalent when PMX zeroed in on avocado by alluding that the expanded sales and services tax (SST) on imported goods targets wealthy consumers, hence the latter must be willing 'to pay a bit more' compared to fruits grown for local consumption such as banana and jambu batu (guava).
However, PMX who is also the Finance Minister ended up getting criticised for having been detached from reality for his speech at the Madani Rakyat programme in Lumut, Perak yesterday (June 15).
'Can Anwar explain why local fruits are so terribly expensive? In the Klang Valley, rambutan are priced from RM10-RM12/kg, banana (RM7.50-RM8.50/kg) small pineapple (RM7/kg) and the same apply for watermelon and mangoes,' one netizen summed up for hundreds of online commenters.
'Durian is beyond most people's reach. People buy apples and oranges because they are cheaper than local fruits.
'Please don't insult us with the avocado example. If the government wants us to eat local fruits, please control the prices and not let the businessmen go havoc.
'With the SST on imported fruits, B40 Malaysians won't be able to afford fruits in their diet. The government is making the health of Malaysians worse. This is Reformati, not Reformasi!'
Unprecedented trolling
Even reiterating his commitment to continue clamping down on leaders who practice corruption regardless whether he receives widespread support or otherwise not only failed to convince the masses but worse, only invited a slew of jeering.
Saya akan terus banteras rasuah tak kira dapat sokongan atau tidak – PM https://t.co/9R8Vcxi0vk
— Malaysiakini (BM) (@mkini_bm) June 14, 2025
The detractors pointedly trained their guns on Deputy PM Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who been granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) by the Kuala Lumpur High Court for his 47 charges, including criminal breach of trust (CBT), corruption and money laundering involving the Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
Or when will the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) start pursuing the wealth amassed by Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak who was formerly PMX's political secretary?
Imagine how detractors just would not spare PMX some breathing space even for a safe topic such as youth empowerment on his own Facebook page.
To re-cap, PMX's trust deficit gap has been widening at an alarming pace ever since the run-up to the May 23 PKR central leadership poll whereby his role as the party's president came under massive scrutiny amid cries that the reformasi spirit is dead.
The backlash from PKR grassroots was so intense especially after incumbent deputy president Rafizi Ramli lost the second most powerful post in the party which effectively helmed the Madani government to PMX's eldest daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar with accusation of nepotism reverberating across the party.
Retaliation from his own party members was so overwhelming in the aftermath of the PKR polls that PMX's social media administrators had to disable comments, particularly those related to his presence at the recent 18th PKR national congress on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. – June 16, 2025
Main image credit: Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Sun
Bernama Chairman Wong Chun Wai named National Journalism Laureate
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai was named the National Journalism Laureate at the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)-Petronas Journalism Awards ceremony held here tonight. Wong, 64, brings over four decades of journalistic experience, having begun his career as a junior reporter at The Star in Penang in 1984. He then climbed the ladder to serve in various positions at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya. Wong is the 14th recipient of the prestigious award, joining the ranks of past luminaries, including the first recipient, the late Tan Sri Abdul Samad Ismail of Utusan Melayu (1988), the late Tan Sri Lee Siew Yee of the New Straits Times (1992), and Datuk Ishak Muhammad or Pak Sako (1995). Other notable past recipients include Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar, Datuk Kadir Jasin, Adibah Amin, the late Datuk Ahmad Rejal Arbee, the late Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin and Datuk CC Liew. Wong said he felt 'small and humbled' to be among these luminaries. The award was presented by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. Apart from journalism, Wong has also held corporate leadership roles, serving as group chief editor, managing director, and chief executive officer of Star Media Group (SMG). In 2023, he was appointed Bernama Chairman. He had earlier served as a member of its Board of Governors (2004–2010) and as a member of its Supervisory Council (2010–2014). He continues to write analysis pieces for Bernama. Wong remains a columnist for The Sunday Star, where his popular 'On The Beat' column has run since 1997, despite no longer being with SMG. Over the years, Wong has delivered numerous exclusives, including interviews with the late physicist Stephen Hawking and former US President Bill Clinton. In 2003, he won the MPI Best Feature Award for his investigative piece on Malaysians undergoing terrorist training in Afghanistan. He was also the first Malaysian elected into the Paris-based World Editors Forum and served as Chairman of the Asia News Network with over 21 media affiliates. 'This is an honour for me and certainly the pinnacle of my journalism journey,' he said. He advised journalists to go beyond standard news writing by dabbling in news analysis and commentaries. Wong is also the author of 'Penang's History, My Story', published in 2014 by The Star, and translated into Bahasa Malaysia by Universiti Sains Malaysia. He has served as an adjunct professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, his alma mater. 'My advice to fellow journalists is never to stop writing. 'I wish to commend my fellow veterans like Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar, Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, Datuk Yong Soo Heong, Datuk Kadir Jasin and Datuk Kuik Cheng Kang who still write, whether regularly or occasionally,' he said. 'Old journalists should never fade away, but continue writing,' he added. The veteran journalist has also embraced digital platforms such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube to share his views. Wong said he strongly advocates for the engagement of professionally trained journalists, emphasising that 'we have undergone years of training, and are better equipped to understand legal boundaries and the sensitivities of Malaysia's multi-racial society.' 'More importantly, the established media is accurate and we take responsibility for what we publish,' he said. Wong dedicated the award to all journalists, particularly veterans and seniors, for their tireless service to the profession.
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Wong Chun Wai named National Journalism Laureate 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai was named the National Journalism Laureate at the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)-Petronas Journalism Awards ceremony held here tonight. Wong, 64, brings over four decades of journalistic experience, having begun his career as a junior reporter at The Star in Penang in 1984. He then climbed the ladder to serve in various positions at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya. Wong is the 14th recipient of the prestigious award, joining the ranks of past luminaries, including the first recipient, the late Tan Sri Abdul Samad Ismail of Utusan Melayu (1988), the late Tan Sri Lee Siew Yee of the New Straits Times (1992), and Datuk Ishak Muhammad or Pak Sako (1995). Other notable past recipients include Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar, Datuk Kadir Jasin, Adibah Amin, the late Datuk Ahmad Rejal Arbee, the late Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin and Datuk CC Liew. Wong said he felt 'small and humbled' to be among these luminaries. The award was presented by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. Apart from journalism, Wong has also held corporate leadership roles, serving as group chief editor, managing director, and chief executive officer of Star Media Group (SMG). In 2023, he was appointed Bernama Chairman. He had earlier served as a member of its Board of Governors (2004–2010) and as a member of its Supervisory Council (2010–2014). He continues to write analysis pieces for Bernama. Wong remains a columnist for The Sunday Star, where his popular 'On The Beat' column has run since 1997, despite no longer being with SMG. Over the years, Wong has delivered numerous exclusives, including interviews with the late physicist Stephen Hawking and former US President Bill Clinton. In 2003, he won the MPI Best Feature Award for his investigative piece on Malaysians undergoing terrorist training in Afghanistan. He was also the first Malaysian elected into the Paris-based World Editors Forum and served as Chairman of the Asia News Network with over 21 media affiliates. 'This is an honour for me and certainly the pinnacle of my journalism journey,' he said. He advised journalists to go beyond standard news writing by dabbling in news analysis and commentaries. Wong is also the author of 'Penang's History, My Story', published in 2014 by The Star, and translated into Bahasa Malaysia by Universiti Sains Malaysia. He has served as an adjunct professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, his alma mater. 'My advice to fellow journalists is never to stop writing. 'I wish to commend my fellow veterans like Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar, Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, Datuk Yong Soo Heong, Datuk Kadir Jasin and Datuk Kuik Cheng Kang who still write, whether regularly or occasionally,' he said. 'Old journalists should never fade away, but continue writing,' he added. The veteran journalist has also embraced digital platforms such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube to share his views. Wong said he strongly advocates for the engagement of professionally trained journalists, emphasising that 'we have undergone years of training, and are better equipped to understand legal boundaries and the sensitivities of Malaysia's multi-racial society.' 'More importantly, the established media is accurate and we take responsibility for what we publish,' he said. Wong dedicated the award to all journalists, particularly veterans and seniors, for their tireless service to the profession.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Wisma Putra: Malaysians leaving Teheran today
KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to evacuate Malaysians in Iran amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict are being finalised. Wisma Putra, in a statement, said Malaysians who agreed to join the evacuation process will be leaving Teheran today. "The ministry is in close coordination with all relevant missions to ensure a quick, smooth and safe journey of all citizens and their family members to Malaysia. "We look forward to welcoming you home soon," the statement read. On Wednesday, unity government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzi said Malaysians currently in Iran were expected to be evacuated by today following recent air attacks on the country by Israel. Fahmi said necessary arrangements had been made in light of the heightened tensions in the region and that visa preparations for all affected Malaysians had been finalised. Wisma Putra previously urged all Malaysians in Iran to leave the country by any available means, citing the rapidly deteriorating conditions. The ministry said the situation remained highly volatile and could worsen without warning.
