KUALA LUMPUR – The move to cut government subsidies only affects the rich or T20 group and that too is at a minimal rate, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The subsidy reduction only involves the rich T20 households. Can’t they do with less subsidies?
“I have to take away some from those well off in order not to burden the poor,” he said during Minister’s Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat sitting here today.
He said this in reply to a supplementary question from Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) on the decision to reduce government subsidies following the fall of the ringgit.
Citing the electricity subsidy as an example, the prime minister said 90% of the people will not be affected by the reduction, as it only has an impact on T20 households with big houses.
He said the government has also not increased electricity tariffs for small and medium industries (SMEs) as well as the food industry.
“The cut in electricity subsidy is not aimed at the masses (but) only the wealthy in the T20 group. So why do we have to make this a political issue? Who are we championing?
“Furthermore, in terms of the haj subsidy, the price hike does not affect the people as the increase only involves the T20 group.
“If you are already filthy rich, you can’t expect Tabung Haji to subsidise your trip to Makkah. Some have complained, but I have to be firm on that,” he said.
On May 22, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, told the nation’s high-income group that they would not be given electricity subsidies and haj financial assistance.
He said the main database would be used to manage and coordinate the distribution of subsidies to eligible groups. – Bernama, June 6, 2023
