Yesterday (30 June), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the formation of a special committee to wage “jihad” (holy war) against inflation in the country.
The special committee was dubbed the “Pasukan Khas Jihad Tangani Inflasi” (Special Jihad Taskforce Against Inflation) and it will be headed by the Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa and he would be tasked to control the soaring prices of goods in the country.
It will be placed under the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and the committee will be responsible for gathering information from ministries, agencies and the public to formulate strategies and coordinate actions to resolve inflation-related issues, particularly on the increase in prices of goods it can be managed more effectively and efficiently.
Other than Annuar, others in the team are Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
However, the move from the prime minister has sparked a huge outrage online, with many criticising the government for forming a committee every time there was a crisis.
One leading criticism was from veteran economist Nungsari A Radhi and he called the special committee a “waste of time”.
“No need. The 32-member strong Cabinet hold weekly meetings and they can just entrench the rising cost of living problem as their permanent agenda. Just close down the National Economic Action Council (NEAC), the National Recovery Council (NRC), The National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) NACCOL and others),” he said.
Meanwhile, some netizens said that the government has been wasting valuable money by setting up more committees instead of using the existing structure and resources to deal with problems.
“Are the existing ministers incapable of solving the issue? Why do we need another group of ppl to study the inflation?” a netizen asked.
What do you think about this? Share your thoughts!
, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the formation of a special committee to wage "jihad" (holy war) against inflation in the country.){kind=link}