He said the RM1,000 aid given by the federal government to affected families is inadequate. Aid money could be raised by delaying some mega projects such as the high speed rail to Singapore and the east coast rail link project.

“If there is no money, the government should delay the projects. The rakyat needs money,” he told reporters after visiting Kampung Ismail in Ampangan, Negeri Sembilan.

He said it was not necessary for EPF contributors to withdraw their retirement savings, as most of them had used up their savings to pay billls during the prolonged lockdowns since March last year.

Anwar said the government needs to ease the burden of the rakyat and offer (additional) aid, “not just RM1,000 which is only enough for food,” he added.

He said families need basic items.

“The prime minister needs to listen to the voices on the ground,” he said, urging Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration to do a basic inventory on items needed by families so that the right aid is given.

Anwar was also asked to respond to a statement by Umno Supreme Council member Shamsul Anuar Nasarah about the prospective elections in Johor. Shamsul Anuar had said Pakatan Harapan (PH) was not in favour of state elections as it feared another defeat after the Melaka and Sarawak state polls.

Anwar said the government needs to handle the problem on the ground, especially now as the rakyat faces one of the worst floods in the country.

“Now we have a responsibility to ease the burden of the rakyat,” he said.

Barisan Nasional (BN) holds a one-seat majority in the Johor state assembly after the death of Kempas assemblyman Osman Sapian on Dec 21. The BN-led state government has 28 seats, including Bersatu’s 11 seats while PH has 27 seats.