KUALA LUMPUR: Further details will soon be revealed by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan on the implementation of the diesel subsidy rationalisation mechanism, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The second finance minister will give an explanation soon.
“I was just giving an overview, the big picture will come later,” Anwar told reporters during a press conference after attending the Postnormal Times Madani Exhibition at Berjaya Times Square here.
Responding to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s query whether Anwar had visited wet markets to check on the prices of goods that were affecting the people, the Prime Minister said he did so on a weekly basis.
“Each time I visited (these places), I asked about the prices of goods and also inquired about their problems.
“It seems that he (Hamzah) is trying avoid from responding to allegations that his party is supporting rich tycoons and foreigners,” Anwar added.
Last week, the Prime Minister announced that the diesel subsidy rationalisation would be implemented in Peninsular Malaysia first, and later for Sabah and Sarawak.
The implementation of the diesel subsidy rationalisation mechanism is expected to save RM4bil a year for the government.
Earlier, the Prime Minister spent about an hour viewing the display featuring works by six local artists highlighting the main pillars of the Madani concept.
He encouraged ministries, universities, schools, private companies and families to visit the exhibition, which he described as unique, meticulously dissecting issues faced by society due to the impact of social media and developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology.
Among the participating artists was sculptor Liu Cheng Hua, who showcased “Golden Shafts”, a type of gold-mining equipment made from locally-sourced bamboo widely used in Raub, Pahang, in 2014.
Also exhibited were artworks titled “Human Needs Human”, “Panorama” and “Aku Bukan Pendatang” by Stephen Menon, a painter and printmaker known for his innovative techniques and thought-provoking works.
The exhibition is a collaboration between the Prime Minister and Centre for Postnormal Policy and Futures Studies (CPPFS), with Berjaya Times Square as the sponsor and organiser of the programme.
It runs until Nov 10 at Berjaya Times Square and the entrance is free.
Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk R. Ramanan, CPPFS director Prof Ziauddin Sardar and CPPFS assistant director Scott Jordan were also present.
