KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH) is calling for a smaller cabinet and the removal of special envoys to continue paying for subsidies on chicken, eggs, cooking oil, petrol and tariffs.
The coalition’s cost of living committee today also suggested cutting allowances, especially holiday costs, for cabinet members and deputy ministers as well as fewer overseas trips.
It added that mega projects which are unprofitable, such as MRT3, ECRL, Bandar Malaysia and others, should be postponed.
“The government needs to review the allowances for CEOs and boards of directors of government-linked companies and government-linked investment companies.
“We challenge the government to cut down on cabinet members and end the role of special envoys to India, China, the US and the Middle East,” it said in a statement today.
The committee is calling on the PH presidential council and the people to take to the streets in all 222 parliamentary constituencies to hold the government accountable for failing to stem the rising cost of living.
“Let’s start with a minimum move such as a flashmob.”
The move is aimed at pressuring the government to maintain ceiling prices for chicken and chicken eggs as well as subsidies for producers.
It said subsidies for bottled cooking oil should continue and the government should introduce a buying mechanism to ensure fair distribution of the item.
“Cooking gas subsidies must be maintained while the price of RON95 is capped at RM2 as per the level set during the PH administration.
“Any proposals to increase water and electricity tariffs must be stopped.”
Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob made an about-turn on the initial plan to increase the electricity tariff for domestic users.
He also said the prices of chicken will be capped despite an earlier announcement that its ceiling prices would be lifted by July 1. The new ceiling price for chicken has yet to be announced.
This came amid growing concerns over the removal of subsidies on a number of essential goods, as well as an electricity surcharge initially scheduled for implementation next month.
Under the current ceiling price, poultry is capped at RM8.90/kg for Standard Round Chicken and RM9.90/kg for Super Round Chicken in Peninsular Malaysia.
Last week, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the subsidy, introduced last year and initially meant to last for only three months, would be removed for bottled palm cooking oil products sold in 2kg, 3kg, and 5kg bottles.
However, this did not include the subsidised 1kg packeted oil usually sold at RM2.50 each.
According to the ministry, the current ceiling retail price for palm cooking oil in 5kg bottles is at RM29.70 per bottle, RM6.70 per 1kg bottle, RM12.70 per 2kg bottle, and RM18.70 per 3kg bottle.
Representing the committee are Hassan Abdul Karim (Pasir Gudang), Datuk Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus (Hulu Langat), Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin), Natrah Ismail (Sekijang), Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu (Batu Gajah), Chan Foong Hin (Kota Kinabalu), Asmirul Anuar Aris (Kubang Rotan assemblyman), Cha Kee Chin (Rasah) and former Maharani assemblywoman Norhayati Bachok. – The Vibes, June 27, 2022
