Any Support, Initiative Introduced Must Be Structured, Done In Phases – Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- Any consideration to introduce additional support or initiatives must be well structured, implemented in phases, and activated when necessary for the people’s well-being, according to Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Tengku Zafrul, who was appointed senior political adviser to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last month, said the government’s approach is very clear, whereby it will act in a targeted manner while also remaining ready to respond swiftly when conditions change.

“The upcoming support or additional initiatives need not be large, but at the same time we are prepared for more challenging possibilities,” he said in a post on social media platform X today.

Tengku Zafrul, who is also the Malaysian Investment Development Authority chairman, said the West Asian conflict and global energy crisis will exert continuous pressure on energy costs and supply chains.

“The impact on the people will not come all at once but gradually and heavier over time,” he said, noting that the government has already taken initial measures.

He noted that the public is facing real cost-of-living pressures.

“Empathy must go hand in hand with (fiscal) discipline. Today, additional measures may not yet be necessary. But our responsibility is clear: when conditions change, we must be ready and able to act swiftly,” he added.

-- BERNAMA