Deliver reforms, not stale soundbites - Ong tells PM

Deliver reforms, not stale soundbites - Ong tells PM

Published: Feb 26, 2024 5:58 PM


Former lawmaker Ong Kian Ming has urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the government to focus on delivering results instead of “stale” soundbites.

This is after Anwar, at an event yesterday, said if monies stolen from the country were returned, then it could immediately be redistributed to help the public.

“I feel like this story is a little stale after more than one year in government,” Ong said on Instagram.

Anwar had remarked yesterday that the theft of funds had made it difficult for the government to give aid to the people.

When contacted, Ong said many of the responses he received on the social media platform appeared to agree with his assessment that such remarks are getting old.

“PMX and the coalition government should focus on delivering actual political and institutional reforms rather than using soundbites to play to the gallery.

“For example, when will the asset declaration by ministers, deputies and MPs be rolled out as part of increasing transparency?

“More than a year after the government was formed, something as simple as this hasn’t been implemented,” the former Bangi MP told Malaysiakini.


Asset declaration

In January, the Prime Minister’s Office said the cabinet would be discussing a new format for asset declarations for ministers, deputy ministers, MPs, and senior aides to politicians.

However, there have been no further developments on the matter since.

Anwar has been repeatedly criticised for perceived slowness in delivering reforms.

Bersih will be marching to Parliament tomorrow to submit a memorandum demanding reforms, including term limits on the prime minister and a review of the Sedition Act 1948.