LETTER | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement of financial aid for certain categories of civil servants is timely, especially with Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri approaching. It’s in the spirit of Malaysia Madani and the reforms he has promised.

The business world though does not seem to be working in the interest of Malaysia and Malaysians as a whole. Their approach is short-term and focused on lining their own pockets.

It is time that all MPs, regardless of their affiliation, stand up and be counted for the very people they are supposed to represent. A slew of reforms is needed to ensure that every Malaysian benefits from what Bank Negara Malaysia claims is a positive economic climate.

To start with, it should be legislated that companies who report profits above a certain threshold should pay one-month salary as a festival aid to all employees in the B40 and M40 categories.

The continued opposition of business and employer organisations towards anything that is remotely equitable to the lower-income group is not due to a lack of affordability. It’s a case of wanting to assert power and dominance over Malaysians who are from the lower-income group.

Parliament should thwart this sort of corporate machoism.

Lawmakers should dedicate this Parliament sitting towards redressing the imbalance that is detrimental to the working poor in the country.

The writer is the international labour adviser for Social Protection Contributors’ Advisory Association Malaysia (SPCAAM).

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.