Gov’t aware of people’s hardship, says PM

Syed Omar Ariff and Teh Azira Yusof

SEMENYIH: The government acknowledges the plight of the people over the rising of cost of living, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

As of now, he said efforts are being made to cushion the effects caused by the fluctuating prices of goods.

“I understand that goods are more expensive now. But efforts are being made to reduce the cost of living.”

Dr Mahathir, who was speaking at a ‘ceramah perdana’ to campaign for Pakatan Harapan candidate Muhammad Aiman Zainali for the Semenyih state seat, was referring to public complaints over the price increase of goods following the implementation of Sales and Service Tax.

He also said that efforts were being made to improve the people’s quality of life.

“Like in Beranang and Semenyih, there are those who work as lemongrass farmers and livestock rearers. They have been doing well, but they too need government’s aid to be successful.

“That is why we also need to provide them with education and skills training so that they too, can be wealthy.”

At the same time, he also said that the people should not be dependent on subsidies.

“It is easy to just offer subsidies but, those who receive it will never be rich… but the ones who did not receive such help, will get rich because they work hard.”

Ending his speech, Dr Mahathir said the government would ensure that the country’s wealth would be shared by all.

Tun M: ‘Bossku’ promotes slave mentality

SEMENYIH: Those who subscribe to the ‘Bossku’ slogan are trapped in a ‘slave mentality’, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

In a stinging jab against nemesis Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Dr Mahathir, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman called on the people last night not to be influenced by the former prime minister’s newfound popularity.

He also said the word or term “boss”, originated from the United States and was meant to be used by African slaves to refer to their owners.

“Think before you use the word ‘bossku’.

“Know where the word comes from. It comes from the United States. The black people called their owners boss.

“So when you call him ‘bossku’, it means we are owned by the boss. We have already sought our independence, we shouldn’t be slaves anymore.” Dr Mahathir said in his speech to promote PH candidate Muhammad Aiman Zainali for the Semenyih state seat.

Dr Mahathir also said Najib seemed to be “unashamed” to appear in public, in reference to allegations against him stemming from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal.

“He has no shame. Look at his behaviour,

“I may not be right all the time, but I am not in the wrong when I rejected Najib.”

Dr Mahathir also claimed that Najib planned to make a comeback as prime minister.

“But he is not coming back. Umno is no more. BN is dead. No need to think about them. It is better to think about what can we do through the new government. And our new government is PH.”