Pakatan Harapan Youth has panned Umno Youth’s proposal to exclude those in the T20 income group from fuel subsidies, reminding them of former premier Najib Abdul Razak’s 1MDB corruption scandal.
Harapan Youth chief Woo Kah Leong emphasised that hostility towards certain groups does not solve any problems.
“Every segment of society, especially those who are more financially capable, has never objected to paying taxes for the nation’s development all these years.
“Subsidies do need to be reduced gradually over time, but not through an approach that vilifies certain groups,” the Pasir Bedamar assemblyperson said in a statement yesterday.
Woo (above) noted that all segments of society are under pressure, especially those who have to pay salaries and bear high operating costs.
“If you are unable to show empathy, then do not take advantage of the situation,” he added.
In an obvious reference to Najib, Woo, who is from DAP, said if not for the incident involving a former prime minister embroiled in a corruption scandal, the government would not have to shoulder debts amounting to billions of ringgit.
He also pointed out that Umno has not expressed any remorse for this and only continues to make brazen demands.
Woo also reminded Umno Youth that their party was overwhelmingly rejected by all levels of society in 2018.
“Go ahead and include it (removal of blanket fuel subsidy) in your party manifesto for the coming general election. State it clearly and openly so that the people can make an informed choice,” he added.
Call for targeted subsidies
Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh said the wing intends to table a motion at the next Umno supreme council meeting, proposing that fuel subsidies be withdrawn for those in the T20 income bracket.
He argued that a more targeted subsidy system would enable Putrajaya to redirect the savings towards assistance for lower-income groups who need it more.
“So it would be better if we take the T20’s subsidies and channel them back to the B40 and M40. If one spends between RM200 and RM400 a month on the 400 litres of subsidised petrol, that’s nothing for the rich.
“But this RM200 to RM400 means a lot for the B40 and M40. That’s why among our proposals is to ask for fuel subsidies to be rationalised further and targeted to those who really need them,” he said. - FMT
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