KUALA LUMPUR: Appoint the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to spearhead the management of subsidies, said newly minted Pulai MP Suhaizan Kayat.
The Pakatan Harapan lawmaker said this was because a majority of subsidised items involved the ministry, adding that it had expertise on the matter.
“They have the enforcement, with the ministry also being the secretariat to the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol),” he said when debating Budget 2024.
This is also Suhaizan’s maiden speech as Pulai MP after winning the Pulai by-election on Sept 9.
The Pulai parliamentary seat fell vacant after its incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub passed away in July this year.
Salahuddin was also the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister.
Suhaizan also proposed for artificial intelligence (AI) to be used in managing subsidies.
“AI uses big data and can identify any form of leakages here,” he said, adding that a dashboard for managing subsidies should also be established.
“The dashboard can display real-time allocations for the various subsidies, spending and outcomes.
“All parties, including the public, can then check whether they have, or are going to receive the subsidies,” he added.
He also called on the government to find a mechanism to resolve sugar issues without burdening the people.
“I am very concerned that if the international prices of raw materials increase and the Ringgit continues to depreciate, sugar issues could be a ticking time bomb for the unity or Madani government,” he said.
