NILAI: The government will not take loans to fund less urgent projects, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said his administration, which inherited some RM1.5 trillion in debts from the previous government, did not wish to burden future generations by increasing its debts.
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Instead, it has been working hard to reduce its current deficit, he said.
"Our kids are the ones who are going to inherit these debts.
"That is the first thing they will have to worry about in life," he said at the launch of the Karnival Usahawan Desa at the Nilai Square here on Saturday (June 24).
Anwar likened the country's situation to that of a family earning a monthly income of RM5,000 but had commitments totalling RM7,500.
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"Some people ask why do we need to talk about the past.
"I need to say this because we will be forced to reduce spending, such as on projects that are not immediately required," he said.
However, Anwar said the government would continue to fund important programmes such as those under the Education and Health ministries and to build housing for the poor especially in urban areas.
"The government has allocated an additional RM2bil for schools which will, among others, be used to build and repair toilets," he said, adding another RM1.4bil had also been allocated for the upgrading of rural government clinics.
He said the government would also assist petty traders by building proper stalls for business.
Anwar said he was fortunate that members of his unity government were steadfast in their commitment to improve the wellbeing of the people although they were from different parties.
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"That is why we got the ball rolling by cutting minister's salaries because we need to save this nation.
"We have also decided that there will be no more middlemen when we acquire equipment for the Defence Ministry," he said, adding that these would only be purchased with advise from ministry experts.
Anwar also slammed his critics who are bent on slandering his administration.
Citing an example, he said some members of the Opposition had alleged that he had given away Malaysia's sovereign rights when he recently signed a treaty with his Indonesian counterpart President Joko Widodo.
"They claimed that I have compromised Malaysia's rights when in actual fact there are still some border areas which have yet to be finalised such as in the Ambalat area, Pulau Sebatik near Sabah and Johor.
"When I ask them which experts were they quoting, they are unable to provide an answer.
"It is sad that such lies and slander is spread by religious scholars who are bent on discrediting the unity government," he said.
In his speech, Anwar said his government has also been criticised for the increase in electricity tariffs, which was approved by the previous government.
"What my government did was to ensure only the super rich or probably 1% of the consumers will pay more.
"The previous government had actually proposed an increase for all," he said.
Similarly, Anwar said his government was again criticised when it decided to reduce the subsidy given to the rich to perform the Haj.
"Why should an individual who earns RM50,000 or RM100,000 a month enjoy the same subsidy like others (in the lower income categories)," he asked.
