KUALA LUMPUR – The Umno Supreme Council has backed the federal government’s decision to continue bearing RM5.8 billion in subsidies, despite the drastic hikes in costs of fuel and raw materials for electricity generation.
Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the party has also urged the government to address the rising costs of living faced by the public in a holistic, integrated and effective manner.
For example, Ahmad said the government can consider the creation of a National Poultry Board to address the issue of rising chicken prices, including the production of hatchlings, costs of breeding and chicken feed, in order to prevent “manipulation” or cartels in the industry.
“(The council) also stresses that targeted subsidies formulated by the government must indeed benefit the people at large who are facing difficulties and hardships due to the rising costs of living,” he told reporters after attending the Supreme Council meeting at Umno’s headquarters in Menara Dato Onn, here, this evening.
“This includes not arbitrarily removing subsidies due to mere weaknesses in enforcement aspects (of governance).”
Ahmad said the council also supported Putrajaya’s decision to cancel its plans to float chicken prices, as well as the government’s move to maintain current electric and water tariffs for the public. – The Vibes, June 25, 2022
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