Kuala lumpur: It is not easy for the government to slash the price of RON95 petrol, even if it is only six sen, because it needs to take into account the financial implications for the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that was the reason why he had to take a few more days to ensure a thorough evaluation before announcing the RON95 price reduction from RM2.05 to RM1.99 per litre last Wednesday. He mentioned that while neighboring countries like Thailand and Singapore may have adjusted their prices earlier, Malaysia's rates remain lower, benefiting the citizens. Anwar addressed critics by emphasizing that the decision was not simple and urged people not to belittle the government's effort.
Anwar also responded to criticism regarding the government's decision not to extend fuel subsidies to foreign nationals, insisting that subsidies are exclusively for Malaysians since foreigners do not pay taxes to the government. He questioned the opposition's stance on this matter and highlighted the distinction in treatment between citizens and foreigners globally.
Additionally, Anwar defended the recent one-off RM100 cash aid under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme for all Malaysians aged 18 and above, explaining that the aid is part of an increased government allocation from RM13 billion to RM15 billion. He noted that families with children aged 18 and above would also benefit from the aid.
Furthermore, Anwar discussed the government's decision to defer toll rate hikes, which impacts the federal budget by up to RM500 million. He clarified that the decision was made to prevent additional burdens on the people, despite the financial implications of compensating concessionaires due to an agreement signed by a previous government.
The event, attended by over 6,000 people, aimed to reinforce collective responsibility in combating the drug menace, highlighting the ongoing fight against drug abuse as both a public health issue and a threat to national security.