Fahmi: Refining needed to prevent public burden
KUALA LUMPUR: The plan to implement targeted subsidies for RON95 petrol has been delayed due to the need for a more detailed review of the mechanism, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the government is currently fine-tuning every aspect of the policy to ensure that its implementation will not have an adverse impact on the public.
Fahmi said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also addressed the matter during the recent government retreat involving MPs.
'The Prime Minister expressed his view that he does not want the implementation of any policy to negatively affect the majority of the rakyat.
'It is this fine-tuning process that has resulted in a slight shift in the timeline,' he told a weekly press conference at Parliament House yesterday.
Fahmi, who is also the government spokesman, said several adjustments had already been made to earlier policies to avoid burdening the people.
'That is one of the reasons why, following the implementation of measures such as the diesel subsidy rationalisation and other efforts, we found it necessary to re-examine the subsidy delivery mechanism.
'In the same spirit of minimising impact, even the expansion of the Sales and Service Tax underwent further refinements after it was announced.
'The same approach applies to policies that have yet to be implemented but were previously indicated including the targeted subsidy for RON95,' he added.
The rationalisation of the RON95 subsidy was initially expected to be introduced by the middle of this year.
Earlier this month, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government was in the final stages of preparing for its implementation.
The move is part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at curbing leakages and ensuring high-income groups contribute more fairly to national revenue.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
11 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Asean FMS urge restraint, immediate ceasefire in Thailand-Cambodia border conflict
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Foreign Ministers have urged Thailand and Cambodia to exercise maximum restraint and implement an immediate ceasefire over the ongoing border dispute between both countries. They also called on both sides to return to the negotiating table and refrain from taking any actions that may undermine peace efforts. In a statement dated July 27, the ministers said they are deeply concerned with the situation that has resulted in an increasing number of casualties on both sides, destruction of public properties, and displacement of a large number of people along the border areas. "We further urge both sides to cease all hostilities, return to the negotiating table to restore peace and stability, and settle disputes and differences by peaceful means, based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Asean Charter, as well as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and in the spirit of Asean family, unity, and good neighbourliness," the statement read. The ministers have reaffirmed their support for efforts by the Asean Chair to facilitate dialogue between both sides and bring an end to the fighting. The statement came ahead of a planned peace talks between Cambodia and Thailand scheduled for 3 pm Monday in Putrajaya. Cambodian Premier Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai separately confirmed yesterday that they would attend the highly anticipated meeting initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as current Asean Chair. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have a long history of diplomatic rows over an 817-kilometre undemarcated stretch of their shared border. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been simmering since May 28 following a skirmish between their troops near the disputed Preah Vihear border area, which claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier. The latest round of hostility erupted on July 24. Armed clashes have been reported along Cambodia's northern border region, with fatalities on both sides. — BERNAMA
The Sun
11 minutes ago
- The Sun
SST exemptions for residential projects and public facilities in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has extended Sales and Services Tax (SST) exemptions to residential projects and public facilities, including houses of worship, recreational parks, and public toilets. Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan announced the move as part of efforts to ease financial burdens on developers and sustain infrastructure development. Essential construction materials such as cement, gravel, and sand remain zero-rated under the sales tax. Ahmad clarified that while main contractors are subject to SST, subcontractors earning below RM1.5 million annually are exempt. The exemptions aim to provide relief to businesses adjusting to the tax system. 'Companies and contractors with non-reviewable contracts will receive a one-year exemption, subject to conditions,' Ahmad said during a Dewan Rakyat session. When asked about raising the SST registration threshold from RM1.5 million to RM3 million for construction-related services, Ahmad confirmed no discussions had taken place. The current threshold remains in place to maintain tax compliance while supporting smaller industry players. - Bernama
Barnama
14 minutes ago
- Barnama
CGTN Highlights President Xi's Call For Stronger China-EU Ties At Landmark 25th Summit
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with European Union (EU) leaders at the 25th China-EU Summit in Beijing, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations and calling for deeper cooperation in trade, investment, and global governance. As reported by China Global Television Network Corporation (CGTN), the summit emphasised China's push for multilateralism, economic openness, and mutual respect as the guiding principles for future China-EU relations. During a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing recently, President Xi told European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that China-EU relations have entered a critical historical juncture. Xi said there are no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical contradictions between the two sides, stressing that cooperation remains the dominant feature of bilateral ties, according to CGTN in a statement. He proposed that both parties uphold mutual respect, pursue openness and cooperation while managing differences, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the international rules-based order. Xi said the China-EU economic relationship is naturally complementary and mutually beneficial and highlighted the importance of deepening partnerships in green and digital sectors. According to China's customs data, trade between China and the EU reached US$785.8 billion in 2024, a 300-fold increase compared to 1975, when relations were first established. (US$1=RM4.21) He also urged the EU to maintain an open market and refrain from restrictive trade measures to ensure a favourable business environment for Chinese enterprises in Europe, citing Chinese battery giant CALB's US$2.2 billion plant in Portugal—expected to create 1,800 jobs—as a model of productive bilateral investment. CGTN highlighted that both sides agreed to upgrade their export control dialogue mechanism, enhance communication, and ensure the stability of industrial and supply chains at the summit.
