Kuala lumpur: The government is set to review the phased implementation of retargeting subsidies for essential goods such as sugar, rice, and cooking oil. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying announced the initiative during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, emphasizing the aim to prevent subsidy leakages and ensure that only those in genuine need benefit from these subsidies. This approach mirrors the targeted strategy already in place for diesel subsidies and the Budi Madani Ron95 (Budi95) initiative.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the government's current focus is to ensure the effective execution of the targeted diesel fuel subsidy and the Budi95 programmes. These initiatives are seen as foundational steps towards a broader strategy of subsidy retargeting. Lim Hui Ying was addressing a supplementary question from Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera) concerning the expansion of targeted subsidies to additional essential goods.

In a related development, Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib reported that the Central Database Hub (PADU) has successfully compiled profiles of 30.4 million Malaysian citizens and permanent residents since its inception in January 2024. The database is intended to assist in policy formulation and programme implementation, with 17 applications for data usage approved as of October 31, 2025. The PADU data serves as a reference for the Budi95 initiative among other programs.

Datuk Hanifah also highlighted that various agencies, including the Ministry of Works, the National Digital Department, the Department of Higher Education, and the Department of Skills Development, have been approved to utilize PADU data. This response came following a question from Datuk Idris Ahmad (PN-Bagan Serai) regarding the evaluation of PADU's effectiveness in implementing targeted subsidies and ensuring the inclusion of B40 and M40 income groups.