Electricity and fuel costs fall as RMK13 pledges record Bumiputera investment

PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured Parliament that both electricity and fuel prices are on a downward trend, despite criticism from opposition benches and public confusion over recent tariff adjustments.

“Electricity prices are down, fuel prices are down. That’s the reality,” said Anwar during the Dewan Rakyat session. “Although tariffs may have risen, the actual payment is lower. If anyone has paid more, I don’t understand it, because the average reduction is between eight and fourteen per cent.”

He clarified that the recent electricity tariff increase only applies to commercial and industrial users, not ordinary households. Criticising opposition MPs, Anwar remarked: “Parliamentarians should be spokespersons for the people, not for business tycoons.”

On national debt: 'Borrowing for development, not for expenses'

Responding to a question from Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (PN–Kuala Kangsar) about rising government debt—which has reached RM1.247 trillion by the end of 2024—Anwar reaffirmed the Government’s fiscal discipline.

“We do not borrow to fund operational expenditure,” he said. “We borrow, in reduced amounts, strictly for development—schools, hospitals, rural areas, and flood-prone zones that require immediate attention.”

RMK13 and PuTERA35: 'Unprecedented commitment to Bumiputera empowerment'

Turning to the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), Anwar said it marks a historic commitment to the economic advancement of the Bumiputera community, with investment levels described as among the highest since independence.

The Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35), he explained, is a cornerstone of this agenda and features the Government’s ‘3P strategy’: participation, meaningful ownership, and control in strategic sectors.

“This is not just a continuation of past efforts—it’s a bold, comprehensive approach that surpasses anything previously done to uplift the Bumiputera community,” Anwar said.

He dismissed suggestions that the Government favours certain communities over others, noting that RMK13 includes provisions for Chinese, Indian, Orang Asli, and ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Our priority remains the rakyat most affected by the cost of living. The majority of Malaysia’s poor are still Bumiputera,” he added.

Anwar concluded by urging all MPs to study government policy thoroughly before debating it in the House. - August 5, 2025