Anwar's special announcement a low-budget film
Anwar announced that the price of RON95 petrol would be reduced once the targeted subsidy mechanism is implemented, with Malaysians expected to pay RM1.99 per litre. - Bernama photo
SHAH ALAM – The only noteworthy point in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's special announcement on Wednesday was the RM100 cash aid for all adult Malaysians, said Pasir Mas Member of Parliament Ahmad Fadhli Shaari.
He said while the RM2 billion cash aid was a reasonable move, the rest of the announcement consisted of typical policy updates that, in his view, could have been made at any time, especially during the tabling of Budget 2026 later.
'(But) it had to be announced now to reduce the public's anger and momentum ahead of the protest on July 26.
'It's like a blockbuster teaser shown a week ago, but the final product turned out to be a low-budget film using pirated software for editing," he wrote in a Facebook statement.
Earlier, Anwar announced that the price of RON95 petrol would be reduced once the targeted subsidy mechanism is implemented, with Malaysians expected to pay RM1.99 per litre.
Fadhli also questioned the significance of the five sen reduction in RON95 fuel, which was announced live on national television by the Prime Minister.
'A five sen cut in RON95? Not worthy of a live national broadcast by the Prime Minister,' he said.
He commented on the newly announced increase in the paddy floor price, saying it holds little significance for farmers who are facing rising costs of production.
'Paddy floor price increase? Ask the farmers, diesel prices have gone up, fertiliser prices are up, machines are breaking down, everything's more expensive.
"The production cost is far higher than the floor price. The ones profiting are the middlemen, not the farmers,' he said.
Fadhli also compared the RM2 billion cash aid to the government's RM7.5 billion savings from the diesel subsidy rationalisation.
'RM2 billion in cash aid means nothing compared to the RM7.5 billion 'saved' from the diesel subsidy cuts. Nothing announced has long-term impact. Just routine announcements.
'We're still going down (to protest)! See you in Kuala Lumpur on July 26," he added.
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