PUTRAJAYA: The RM4 billion savings from the targeted diesel subsidies are not meant to increase the allowance of ministers, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.
He said the savings would instead be used to cover public transportation costs and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), which now totals RM10 billion.
Speaking at the finance ministry’s monthly assembly, Anwar said the STR currently benefits nine million recipients, including under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah initiative, which has been increased from RM600 to RM1,200 per year.
“The money saved from the targeted diesel subsidies is not for increasing ministers’ allowances or serving other interests.
“We need to understand that the targeted subsidies are to ensure that subsidies are not given to the super-rich or foreign nationals,” said Anwar, who is also the finance minister.
On Sunday, second finance minister Amir Hamzah Azizan announced that the government had set a new diesel price of RM3.35 per litre with effect from Monday.
The previous price of diesel – RM2.15 per litre – will be maintained for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
Amir said this was the market price without subsidies, based on the average for May 2024, according to the automatic pricing mechanism formula.
The government has also launched the Budi Madani programme to ensure that subsidies are allocated to those who truly qualify and to reduce the burden of those in need, through the provision of monthly cash assistance of RM200.
Anwar said the targeted diesel subsidies were the third step taken by the government to restructure subsidy allocations, following the RM4.5 billion savings from electricity tariff adjustments and the RM1.2 billion savings from floating the prices of chicken and eggs.
He acknowledged the public criticism over these measures but said they were necessary to correct the “outdated” system established by previous administrations.
“Our subsidies are the highest in Asia. No one wanted to take action before because it wasn’t popular. No matter what you say, if you want to know if something is popular or not, go to Sungai Bakap – I get a lot of criticism there.
“I’m in my late 70s now, what do I want to do? I want to do the best for the country. I want to prove that not all politicians are corrupt, arrogant, and oppressive to the people.
“So I don’t mind if they criticise me heavily. I have a mandate, and I will carry it out. When it’s time for me to go, I will go. But while I’m here, I will do my best to ensure that Malaysia is seen as the best country in Asia,” he said. - FMT
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