You can't have lower taxes and higher subsidies - PM

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said it is impossible for the government to lower taxes and increase subsidies.

"What the people want is lower taxes and increased subsidies. That is not possible. You can't have lower taxes and an increase in subsidies.

"We will try to lower the taxes, but the government must have money if we are going to give subsidies," he told the media in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Mahathir was responding to questions on the Budget 2020, which would be presented by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng in Parliament tomorrow.

As for taxes, the prime minister said the government would tax the high-income group.

"That is the principle behind our taxes," he added.

On government subsidies, Mahathir said it would be extended to the deserving groups.

"We are going into the details on who will receive the subsidies from the government," he added. - Mkini