All that hype only for peanuts

Malaysiakini

24-07-2025

YOURSAY | '1pct SST reduction would help more than this 'extraordinary tribute'.'
Anwar finally fulfils cheaper petrol pledge; RM100 groceries aid for all
Freethinker: Pakatan Harapan has been pressing to reduce petrol subsidies by imposing a new tax structure. Now they are reimposing petrol subsidies again. Back to square one.
At the next general election, will they be calling for targeted subsidies and then impose a new tax structure?
By the way, if the subsidies go to the deserving, by all means, do it, help those who need help. But if you are going to reimpose petrol subsidies for all, then stop calling for 'targeted' subsidies.
What is this RM100 cash handout again? All that comes from taxpayers is meant for the development of the country.
How can flashing out cash on the streets be able to help the poor and develop the economy? Of course, I'll take it anyway. I am entitled to it, but I'll donate it to those who need it.
What is so great about declaring more holidays? Yes, I'm an employee and it 'benefits me'. But it's still an idiotic policy to please people.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are suffering, and every new public holiday declared is another day of income loss for the employer.
When they don't do well, they can't pay a proper bonus. They can pay better salaries, and obviously, they can't pay higher taxes. It's all a domino effect.
As for the increase in toll charges, why should any company be guaranteed future profits in the first place?
Which contract in the world where the government guarantees a company their future profits? Highway concessionaires are making handsome profits. Look at their financial statements. Again, at whose expense?
Someone please tell Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia needs better economic policies, not economic goodies.
Vijay47: Unlike some of the commentators here, I will be grateful to Anwar for the gifts he is lavishing on us.
Never mind if I hardly use my car to go anywhere or even to sit when my wife chases me out of the house.
The RM100 is okay, I guess, especially when I can use it to win back my wife's favour when she chases me out of the house.
The holiday on Sept 15? Nothing much, really.
Being retired, every day is a holiday for me. But I am eagerly awaiting the 'extraordinary tribute' that Anwar has promised us.
Keramat Boy: Dear prime minister, I am truly speechless at your recent announcement. Decisions of national importance should begin with sincere engagement - talk to the people first, then decide.
The rakyat are not bystanders; they are the very foundation of your mandate. To act without listening risks deepening public frustration and eroding trust.
This nation needs leadership that consults.
You once inspired hope, don't let it fade with top-down decisions that ignore the voices that matter most.
Return to the ground, hear the struggles, and lead with wisdom rooted in humility. That is the Malaysia we all want to believe in.
BusinessFirst: I must congratulate Anwar. Previously a 5 sen decrease in egg prices was made to help the costs of living. Two months later, a 6 sen decrease in petrol.
That is an improvement that befits a special announcement by the prime minister to all Malaysians as a tribute for contributing to the nation!
Of course, there is no promise that the price of RON95 will not slowly increase back to RM2.05.
And that for the so-called "mahakaya" (ultra rich), there will be no subsidy even, and you pay RM2.50 or RM3 by year-end?
There is also no explanation of how much it will cost the government and how much the government is raking in from eight percent sales and service tax (SST).
All I know is that rental for me has gone up to RM1,600 a month due to SST. Real calculations. And that's just rent, not yet other increases.
I spend at most RM200 driving, probably less. With the 6 sen decrease in petrol, I will save RM6 a month.
Assuming all 30 workers with me also spend as much as me on petrol, the total savings work out to RM180.
This does not count the extra costs, including the costs of goods and services.
A one percent reduction of SST would help more than this "extraordinary tribute".
Smokinlala: I thought with all the press announcements for the last week and with publicity everywhere, it could be a good relief package, but it turned out to be nothing at all.
Another public holiday means the government is just clueless about running the country.
Income tax deductions and interest rate reduction, which are the economic policy fiscal benefits, should have been announced.
Not the other way around, as if we are a third-world country.
Optimus: Take the win. Criticising whatever the prime minister is doing is a lose-lose situation.
Remember the white flags under the leadership of former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin? Does anyone think we will have anything at all under PAS?
Cynical: To all the rich and sarcastic critics, RM100 may be peanuts to you, but to the B40 who can only spend RM5 per meal, it means 20 meals, and it makes a big difference.
So when you put 50 litres of petrol in your car, the RM3 you save may be a pittance, but it means something to those who are struggling.
Hafidz Baharom: Rather schizophrenic to say people were abusing petrol subsidies and then giving everyone even cheaper petrol.
Nothing for public transport and mass transportation users?
Taas: Extraordinarily hilarious. The bill will be sent to the rakyat and paid by them.
Where are the real reforms?
BlackPuma1084: This sales tactic is already overused. Build up momentum, give-aways that are hyped up to make them sound incredible, but in the end, not worth much, to get votes?
Anwar needs to change his advisers to people who can read the people's pulse to make him do the right things if he cares for the future generation of Malaysians.
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