KOTA KINABALU: Political stability, coupled with the public’s understanding of the need for a subsidy rationalisation exercise, has allowed for fuel subsidies rationalisation to be implemented, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Assuring that the fuel subsidy rationalisation proposed under Budget 2025 was targeted only to the rich and foreigners who could afford to pay market price for fuel, he said the majority of Malaysians would be unaffected by the move.
The Prime Minister said Malaysians in the B40 and M40 income groups, as well as civil servants, would not be affected by the fuel subsidy rationalisation exercise.
“Eighty-five per cent of the people will not be affected by rationalisation as fuel subsidy will remain at RM2.05 per litre for them. The market price will be only for the very rich and foreigners.
“If the market price is RM2.65 per litre, that is the amount they will pay. But for the ordinary rakyat, the RM2.05 subsidy price will remain,” he added.
Under Budget 2025, the government announced that targeted RON95 subsidies will be implemented from mid-next year.
On June 10, diesel subsidies were removed in Peninsular Malaysia, leading to an instant jump from RM2.15 to RM3.35 per litre.
Anwar said savings of about RM8bil could be achieved in the rationalisation exercise, which would be channelled towards efforts to help the poor and needy.
He said critics of the fuel rationalisation have no reason to criticise as it only involved foreigners and the very rich.
“Why are you busy questioning price increases affecting the foreigners and the very rich? Even those without identities are benefiting from it,” he said at the Madani Rakyat 2024 “Sayangi Sabah” programme yesterday.
On another matter, the Prime Minister said ministers and government officials should apply their knowledge beyond paperwork to offer suggestions and proposals to directly address challenges faced by rural communities.
This could be done through the ‘adopt a village’ initiative, which allows officials to take on a hands-on approach to solving real-world problems, he said.
“When we adopt a village, we learn first-hand the issues faced by the people and we can address them more effectively.
“This approach brings us closer to the ground, helping us see how policies and programmes are impacting lives in real time.”
Anwar hoped that by next month, officials would be ready to share their experiences and success stories with their adopted villages.
The Prime Minister also touched on specific areas in Sabah, particularly Lahad Datu, where security and economic concerns have been long-standing issues.
“In places like Lahad Datu, where there were curfews and emergencies in the past, the economy suffered, but the people remained patient.
“It is now our turn to support them, to listen to their needs for schools, healthcare, and economic opportunities,” he said.
