Returns From Targeted Subsidies Will Be Enjoyed By The People - PM Anwar

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that savings from the government's targeted subsidy initiative will be reallocated to benefit the people, with a focus on education, healthcare and upgrading basic infrastructure.

Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that the move to target diesel subsidies, for example, has enabled the government to implement the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) Appreciation Aid initiative, providing RM100 to eligible Malaysians.

"These savings allow us to give back to the people through initiatives like SARA. Although it's only RM100, the total financial implication for the country is RM2 billion. This was only possible because we first implemented targeted subsidies for diesel," Anwar explained.

He further clarified that the savings from the recently adjusted RON95 fuel subsidies, which saw a slight increase for non-citizens but a decrease for citizens, will be channeled back to the people, including funding the reconstruction of public infrastructure severely damaged by the Sabah floods, such as the Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Gaya, slopes, clinics, and schools.

“This is a new burden, and we should utilise these funds to aid those affected. Our priority remains firm to reinvest these returns in the people, particularly in education, health, and basic infrastructure,” he emphasised.

Anwar expressed hope that the public will accept the government's bold move to implement targeted subsidies, a policy enacted for the nation's long-term benefit and development.

Also present at the assembly were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Director-General of Public Service Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.

"Therefore, I ask for your acceptance of this measure. Let us be thankful to Allah SWT that our nation remains peaceful, our economy is stable, our public servants are performing well, and we are in a position to give back to the people," he said.

Earlier, Anwar had announced a reduction in the price of RON95 petrol for Malaysian citizens to RM1.99 per liter from RM2.05, effective Sept 30, through the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) targeted subsidy programme. 

-- BERNAMA