KUALA LUMPUR: The government will prioritise addressing issues related to the price of goods and the cost of living in Budget 2025.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that his focus is on finding solutions for the people, rather than allocating funds to members of parliament.
"This is why we focus. We want our economy to be strong. At HSBC's 140th anniversary in Malaysia, they recognised that since we took over, the political situation has stabilised, the economy has surged and the ringgit is strong.
"But we remain humble because we know there are still unresolved issues, particularly the cost of living and rising prices," he said.
He added that the Madani budget this year will strive to address these concerns.
Anwar said this during his speech at the Himpunan Gerakan Rakyat event today.
Also present were PKR vice-presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Chang Lih Kang, secretary-general Fuziah Salleh and information chief Fahmi Fadzil.
Today's gathering commemorates Sept 20, 1998, the date Anwar was arrested and later imprisoned for his fight against alleged abuses of power, corruption, nepotism and cronyism.
In honour of the 26th anniversary of this event, a gathering, Himpunan Gerakan Rakyat, was organised by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in collaboration with a coalition of non-governmental organisations, activists and students at Axiata Arena.
"I am not speaking as Prime Minister right now. I am speaking as Anwar Ibrahim, a reformasi fighter," said Anwar.
"I haven't responded for a long time. I have been silent. Why? Because I focus on taking care of the people. I do not care from which party; when the people are suffering, it is our responsibility," he said.
Meanwhile, he said he will be flying to Kedah today to assess the flood situation. He added that he will visit Kelantan on Oct 1 to review incomplete projects.
"Who says this is unfair? The important thing is that they talk about is the members of parliament allocations.
"If we give money to you (MP), it is fair. If we give money to the people, it is cruel. What do I care about projects for MPs? I care about projects for the people," he said.