Kuala lumpur: 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.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, stated at the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly that the move to target diesel subsidies has enabled the government to implement the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) Appreciation Aid initiative, providing RM100 to eligible Malaysians. He explained that, although the amount is only RM100, the total financial implication for the country is RM2 billion, made possible by the initial implementation of targeted subsidies for diesel.
Anwar further clarified that 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. This includes funding the reconstruction of public infrastructure severely damaged by the Sabah floods, such as the Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Gaya, slopes, clinics, and schools. He emphasized the need to utilize these funds to aid those affected, with priority given to reinvesting these returns in education, health, and basic infrastructure.
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. The assembly also saw the presence of 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.
Anwar urged the public to accept the measure, expressing gratitude for the nation's peace, stable economy, and the performance of public servants, enabling the government to give back to the people. Earlier, he 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.