KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today once again took a swipe at Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin for deflecting his question about whether Perikatan Nasional (PN) is supporting the rich and foreigners over subsidy rationalisation.
Anwar also said the opposition leader did not answer his question previously and has continuously questioned the prime minister on other matters.
"My work (requires me to) visit wet markets and stalls and when I go, I always ask about the prices and their problems.
"But, I think he wants to deflect the question and avoid answering about a party that supports the rich and foreigners (over subsidy), (and) he has not answered that yet," Anwar told a press conference during the Postnormal Times Madani Exhibition today.
Anwar said this in response to Hamzah, who urged the prime minister to inspect wet markets nationwide following the increase in the cost of living, after questioning the announcement on diesel subsidy rationalisation.
In a statement yesterday, Hamzah also said Anwar needed to see the increase in the price of goods himself and how the rationalisation of diesel subsidy could contribute to the increase in prices of goods.
Hamzah had also earlier this week accused Anwar of causing uneasiness among the public through the prime minister's announcement on subsidies rationalisation.
Following this, Anwar had said the rationalisation of subsidies was aimed at the wealthy and foreigners, while locals who were affected would be provided government assistance.
Anwar had questioned Hamzah's statement and questioned why the Larut member of parliament was "busy defending the rich and foreigners".
On Tuesday, Anwar announced the Cabinet's decision to implement targeted subsidies on fuel starting with diesel, which is projected to save the country RM4 billion annually.