The Opposition leader also urges the govt to raise the minimum wage and revive workers’ unions

OPPOSITION leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (picture) called for the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to reopen alleged cases of selective prosecution that took place under Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) administration.

He was responding to a claim made by Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who stated that the government of the day does not allow for selective prosecution, but the latter claimed he could not say the same about the previous government.

“If the PM insinuated that the PH government had practiced selective prosecution, there is nothing preventing the AGC from reopening the cases.

“We heard there is a case involving the son of a tycoon who received protection after he was involved in drugs. Investigate him.

“I am not standing here to protect a rich conglomerate who is involved in corruption,” he said during his debate on the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Anwar suggested the PM to urge the current or previous AG to reopen old case files if what the PM implied was true.

Earlier this week, Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said only the AGC could comment further on the drug case involving the son of business tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan.

He said the police had completed investigations into the case where Tan’s son was arrested in December 2019 under Section 39(b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty, for having a large quantity of drugs.

Meanwhile, Anwar also urged the government to raise the minimum wage and revive workers’ unions.

He said many companies have raked in profits due to higher productivity, but oppose the minimum wage policy implementation.

“I urge the PM to listen to the people on the ground and proceed with the minimum wage policy for the workers. Do not bow down to big companies, whether they are glove companies or palm oil companies.

“There needs to be a negotiation process between the companies and their workers.”

He added that the workers’ unions are meant to fight for the employees and ensure their welfare are well taken care of.

“If big companies do not want to do it (raise minimum wage), we have a worker’s union. In the history of political economy, large firms will only treat their workers right if a worker’s union is established. That is why it is a serious step to revive worker’s unions,” he added.

Anwar said wage increase in Malaysia is at a very low level against productivity growth, compared to other developed nations.

Ismail Sabri had recently said that the government is holding engagement sessions with employers on the RM1,500 minimum wage to enable it to be implemented holistically.

According to the PM, the Human Resources Ministry is holding discussions with unions, including with the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services and employers.