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Anwar questions Opposition priorities: ‘No salary, they’re angry; those who steal, they don’t mention’

SHAH ALAM, Sept 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today questioned the federal Opposition’s priorities, taking a swipe at its MPs for scrutinising his refusal to...

Malay MailIda Lim2026-09-26 17:09查看原文 ↗

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has critiqued the federal Opposition for focusing on his choice to forgo a prime ministerial salary while neglecting substantial financial discrepancies allegedly involving others.

Speaking at a Universiti Teknologi MARA event, Anwar clarified his financial sufficiency, attributing it to government provisions and parliamentary allowances.

He highlighted the government's ongoing investigations into financial mismanagement, previously referencing issues at Lembaga Tabung Haji.

Anwar's remarks also addressed a suggestion that his refusal of a salary was an attempt to appear more pious than Prophet Muhammad.

SHAH ALAM, Sept 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today questioned the federal Opposition’s priorities, taking a swipe at its MPs for scrutinising his refusal to draw a prime ministerial salary while, he said, saying little about those who “ sakau ”, or steal, large sums of money.

Anwar recalled being questioned by Opposition MPs in Parliament over how he could support himself without taking his salary as prime minister.

He said he had also been told by the Opposition that even Prophet Muhammad received wages, but added that he had never heard that the Prophet took a salary.

“Then I said, I don’t take a salary, but I don’t fall under the B40 category. Firstly, I take the allowance,” he said during a gathering with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) alumni and students at the university’s Dewan Agung Tuanku Canselor.

Anwar said the government also provides the vehicle he uses, accommodation at the prime minister’s official residence, Seri Perdana, and flights.

“It’s enough lah . Not rich, but not poor,” he said of his financial position.

He then questioned what the Opposition had chosen to focus on.

“But they want to ‘ sibuk ’ [interfere], want to be angry. Don’t take a salary, they’re angry. Those who ‘ sakau ’ [steal] a lot, they don’t mention,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Anwar did not elaborate on whom he was referring to in his remarks about the Opposition.

Last month, Anwar also used the word “ sakau ” when speaking about alleged past financial mismanagement at Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), following the government’s July 29 release of a Royal Commission of Inquiry report into the pilgrims’ fund.

The RCI examined TH’s management and operations from 2014 to 2020. The government subsequently said investigations based on the report’s findings would proceed and that action would be taken if breaches of the law were established.

In 2024, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang reportedly suggested in the Dewan Rakyat that Anwar was seeking to appear more pious than Prophet Muhammad by refusing to accept a salary.

Anwar has declined to draw his salaries as prime minister and finance minister since taking office in November 2022, while continuing to receive his allowance as Tambun MP.