Unlike Najib with quinoa, Anwar hardly eats avocados: PKR man

Unlike Najib with quinoa, Anwar hardly eats avocados: PKR man


Published: Jun 17, 2025 3:30 PM
Updated: 5:35 PM


Summary

• PKR’s Azan Ismail criticises Muda’s comparison of Anwar Ibrahim’s avocado comment to Najib Abdul Razak’s quinoa remark, calling it inaccurate.

• He defends expanding the five percent SST to imported luxury items like avocados, arguing it targets the wealthy instead of the B40 group.

• Azan urges young leaders to avoid populist narratives and instead propose constructive ideas to boost domestic spending.

A PKR leader has defended Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over the impending sales and service tax (SST) expansion, dismissing comparisons with former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

In particular, Kuala Terengganu PKR division chief Azan Ismail took offence with Muda’s recent comparison of Anwar’s remarks on avocados with Najib’s on quinoa, insisting that the alleged resemblance was “not equivalent”.

During Najib’s tenure as prime minister in 2018, he faced criticism for revealing that he switched from eating rice to South American-produced quinoa.

“(Anwar) does not consume avocados in such a manner - perhaps not even once a year,” the former Indera Mahkota MP said in a statement to Malaysiakini today.

“Avocados and quinoa are clearly not staple foods for the rakyat (as) they are imported items which are not consumed by the B40 (lower-income) group.

“Therefore, imposing a five percent SST on the wealthy who can afford such goods is entirely reasonable… The real issue is that imported and expensive items, which only the rich can afford, should be taxed,” he added.

Azan also urged youth leaders against resorting to “harsh and gross narratives” merely for the sake of “publicity” by exploiting the assumption that the rakyat lack understanding of taxation issues.

“Young leaders should take a wiser path by proposing genuine ideas that encourage domestic spending, as a way to foster economic growth, (instead of) promoting warped thoughts on household spending,” he said.


Avocado to quinoa comparison

Yesterday, acting Muda president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz compared Anwar and Najib after the prime minister, who is also the finance minister, defended the SST expansion to imported fruits as a necessary measure meant to tax the wealthy.

Anwar said the five percent tax expanded to imported fruits would only affect those who consume expensive produce like avocados.

However, his speech ignored that the tax will be imposed on all imported fruits, including those that are cheap and accessible to lower-income groups, such as apples, which are exclusively imported.

Previously, consumer groups told Malaysiakini that the new SST rate for imported fruits, set to come into effect on July 1, could reduce access to essential nutrients, disproportionately affecting lower-income Malaysians.

While local fruits remain tax-exempt, the groups also raised concerns about potential supply shortages and possible price hikes.

Critics have also urged the government to boost local fruit production before the tax expansion to avoid unintended health consequences.

However, a local nutritionist highlighted that many locally grown fruits can meet dietary needs as they can be just as nutrient-dense and beneficial as their imported counterparts.

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Eg. Papaya, banana