'Malaysia mistakenly gave subsidies' - Ahmad Maslan
May 26, 2023
'Malaysia mistakenly gave subsidies' - Ahmad Maslan
Ahmad said the Unity Government led by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is correcting the misguided subsidy policy. - Image file
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is considered to have made a mistake in giving subsidies to the people that are also enjoyed by the wealthy, said Deputy Finance Minister I, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
According to him, matters that have been going on for many years are now being rectified by the Unity Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"As the government is responsible, this policy mistake needs to be corrected," he said at a press conference in conjunction with the launch of the Sustainable Investment Standards Document (SIS) at the Finance Ministry Complex, near here on Friday.
He said it would be unfair if the rich T20 enjoyed more subsidies than the poor.
"So far those who have more air conditioning and cars at home enjoy a lot of subsidies, while the poor who do not have air conditioning and own small motorcycles only receive a little," he said.
Ahmad said this while commenting on the government's actions to withdraw subsidies enjoyed by T20.
In the meantime, he said, the targeted implementation of subsidies will be carried out in stages to ensure there is no surprise effect on the T20.
"Yesterday, the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad's answer in the Dewan Rakyat that the targeted electricity subsidy savings from January 1 to June is RM5.6 billion, with that amount we can do various things for the people.
"That's new electricity, not yet RON 95, we will start RON 95 next year because we want to do it step by step because we don't want this T20 to be surprised by everything being pulled here and there," he said.
Last Monday, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said, the high income group or T20 will no longer receive any subsidy either for the use of electricity or performing the Hajj.
