PM recognises cost-of-living pressure, but says govt can't help everyone

 

The government acknowledges cost-of-living pressures but says responses must be targeted and measured, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

This is because not all issues can be fully resolved due to the country’s financial constraints, especially amid an uncertain global environment, he explained.

“Do I deny that there are issues with the cost of living and prices of goods? I do not. Should they be addressed wisely? Yes.

“Are we able to help? My answer is partly yes - we are not able to help everyone,” he said.

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Anwar was speaking at the prime minister’s monthly assembly with ministry staff, held in conjunction with the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry's monthly assembly today.

Also present were Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup, his deputy Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, and the ministry’s secretary-general Anis Rizana Zainudin.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said measures taken include maintaining fuel subsidies such as RON95 as well as introducing targeted assistance such as the Budi Madani initiative to help affected groups.

However, he stressed that the high cost of subsidies remains a major challenge for the government, necessitating policy adjustments from time to time.

He added that the government’s approach to addressing these challenges is more focused on targeting assistance to ensure that those who truly need help continue to be protected.

The prime minister said the government will also continue to monitor prices and gather feedback on the ground to ensure policies implemented are effective.

Complex situation

Anwar also criticised parties making statements not based on fact regarding oil tanker routes in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the actual situation is far more complex.

He said there have been claims, including by certain leaders, that national company vessels do not use the route, when in reality it is one of the key global energy trade routes.

“Sometimes, this is politics in Malaysia - facts do not matter, truth does not matter; there is no verification, no effort to establish the truth,” Anwar said.

- Bernama