PM's Announcement A Bid To Ease Cost-of-living Burden, Give Justice To People - Fadillah

PUTRAJAYA, July 23 (Bernama) -- The announcement of the appreciation for Malaysians by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is an immediate effort to ease the cost-of-living burden, thus reflecting the unity government's resolve to continue to uphold the people's trust and welfare, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Fadillah, also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said the announcement also proved that reforms do not necessarily have to be a burden, but rather provide justice and relief to the majority of the people.

"This is a call for togetherness and appreciation for everyone who has contributed to the country's development from villages to cities, from civil servants to farmers. This clearly proves how much MADANI Malaysia is not merely a slogan, but a national movement that we have successfully steered together,” he said in a statement today.

Fadhilah said the prime minister has appropriately honoured all Malaysians who are the pillars of the country's stability and united all parties to continue to focus on comprehensive reforms for the sake of future generations.

"Firm on policy, clear on direction. The prime minister has instilled confidence that fiscal reform is on the right track, with the support of the people as the mainstay,” he said.

Fadillah said the strengthening of the Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of 2025, which reached 4.4 per cent and a projection of 4.5 per cent for the second quarter; climbing 11 steps to the 23rd position in the Global Resilience Index 2025; and the strengthening of the ringgit by five per cent proved that the success achieved is not just numbers on papers.

This paves the way for investments, job opportunities and implementation of social policies targeting the welfare of the people.

As such, he said the measures announced also proved the effectiveness of MADANI policies in safeguarding the people.

"As a native of Sarawak, I have seen for myself the real meaning of a comprehensive policy. The increase in the floor price of paddy, incentives for rubber and grassroots programmes, such as Sejati MADANI, answer the needs of rural folk,” he said.

He added that the MADANI Foster Village programme had been expanded to 200 villages, and the targeted 1,000 schools under the MADANI Adopted School initiative by the end of this year will surely benefit all states, as will measures to expand the MADANI Rahmah Sale to 600 state assembly constituencies nationwide.

Fadillah also expressed his appreciation for the boldness of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) in restructuring the energy subsidies and electricity tariffs, with 85 per cent of the people paying electricity bills up to 14 per cent lower starting this month.

In addition, the RON95 targeted subsidy, with the price reduced to RM1.99 per litre, will see the savings rechannelled to Malaysians, not foreigners.

Fadillah said that as the minister responsible for the affairs in Sabah and Sarawak, he also welcomed the announcement of the additional public holiday on Sept 15 in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration this year.

"Let’s all come with one heart, joining forces, continue upholding the MADANI agenda, which gives meaning to the lives of the people. From villages to cities, from the Peninsula to Borneo, every Malaysian has the right to enjoy progress fairly and equitably,” he said.

-- BERNAMA