
Anwar: Appreciation package to be announced tomorrow or Wednesday
PUTRAJAYA (July 21): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a special gesture of appreciation for the people is expected to be announced tomorrow or Wednesday.
He said more time is needed to finalise the announcement following the Unity Government retreat in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan yesterday.
'The retreat focused on explaining government policies while also listening to public concerns, which led me to consider certain changes and announcements to help ease these issues.
'I mentioned that I would make an announcement within a day or two (whether in the form of additional measures or otherwise) but it requires some careful review,' he said at the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly here today.
On July 19 in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Anwar had hinted that that the extraordinary appreciation to be announced would involve government measures to address the rising cost of living.
Anwar acknowledged that although policies are carefully planned at the federal level, there is often a perceived disconnect between policy implementation and the reality experienced by the people.
'When we plan, we believe we've done our best. But sometimes, the views at the grassroots level differ. There seems to be a disconnect, partly due to political spin, partly due to misinformation — but some concerns are genuine and must be taken seriously,' he said.
At the same time, Anwar rejected claims that the people are burdened by the Sales and Services Tax (SST) and base electricity tariffs, describing the 'tariff hike, tax hike' narrative as a distortion of facts that does not reflect the actual situation.
'I ask, are you representing the people or the business tycoons? Some large industries may be affected, but 85 per cent of the public are exempt from the increase,' he said.
Anwar said the revised tariffs introduced by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) target only high-profit industries, with no impact on domestic users.
He added that the new electricity tariff structure has not resulted in a general increase in electricity costs. On the contrary, it has led to a 19 per cent reduction for the majority of users.
'There are also additional reductions for consumption during non-peak hours. But the key point is, once implemented, this is the fact — there was no increase.
'Overall, electricity costs fell by 19 per cent, from 55.95 sen (Rp3) to 45.40 sen (Rp4). So, if you compare your latest bill to the previous month's, it is lower,' he said. announcement anwar ibrahim appreciation electricity lead tariffs
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
UMNO Must Lead Digital Narrative, Reach Youth To Stay Relevant– Zambry
KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- UMNO must lead in shaping the digital narrative, strengthen its presence on new media and engage young voters to remain relevant, UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said today. He said politics has entered the digital era in which information, perceptions and sentiments are rapidly shaped through social media and online platforms. 'This new challenge requires UMNO to adopt fresher, more flexible and pragmatic approaches. We cannot remain bound by the old ways,' he said in a Facebook post.

Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
US Urges Ceasefire as Thai, Cambodian Leaders Head to Malaysia for Peace Talks
KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged both Cambodia and Thailand to de-escalate tensions and agree to a ceasefire over their ongoing border dispute. According to the US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Rubio spoke with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn to stress the importance of an immediate ceasefire. "Secretary Rubio reiterated President Trump's desire for peace and the importance of an immediate ceasefire. The US is prepared to facilitate future discussions to ensure peace and stability between Thailand and Cambodia," Bruce said in a statement that was made available on the department's official website. bootstrap slideshow Bruce said Rubio conveyed a similar message to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, reaffirming Washington's readiness to facilitate dialogue and peace efforts between both countries. In the latest development, Bernama reported that the Thai government has confirmed it will attend a regional peace consultation in Malaysia on Monday to discuss the escalating border conflict with Cambodia. Government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap said Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as the current ASEAN Chair, has invited the Thai leadership to discuss the Thai-Cambodian conflict. He added that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will also attend the consultation at the invitation of the ASEAN Chair. The Thai delegation is scheduled to depart from the Royal Thai Air Force base at approximately 10.30 am, with the meeting set for 3 pm (Malaysian time). The border dispute between the two nations escalated on July 25, leading to armed clashes along Cambodia's northern border region.


Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Federal leader's insult pushed GRS into unity govt, says Hajiji
GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said many of Sabah's demands were approved by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whereas previous leaders found difficulty in devolving power to the state. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A federal leader's disdain for the proposed 'Borneo Bloc' political cooperation led Gabungan Rakyat Sabah into supporting Anwar Ibrahim's formation of the unity government after the 2022 general election, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said today. Speaking at the annual convention of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, he said a former federal leader, whom he did not name, had dismissed the idea of Bornean cooperation. 'I was with Masidi Manjun and Jeffrey Kitingan in a meeting with a big leader over there (in Peninsular Malaysia) at the time. The person said they were the masters. He did not like the Borneo Bloc. He did not want us to share our experiences and stories with our neighbouring state of Sarawak,' he said. 'I was shocked by his words. I thought about them for a long time. What did they mean? What was his intent? As I thought about it, I lost heart (tawar hati) in these people,' he said in a video of his speech published on Facebook by Sabah Media. Hajiji said it was after much thought that he finally decided that GRS would support the unity government being formed by Anwar. Since then, he said Anwar's government 'has listened to our voices, and we have been treated well', and reiterated that GRS remained in support of the prime minister. Hajiji said many of Sabah's demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 were approved by Anwar, as opposed to previous leaders who found difficulty in devolving power to the state. 'So what are we hoping for? If the unity government is good for our state, why shouldn't we support it?' he said. In March, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said the unity government had successfully resolved nine key claims related to MA63, including power to regulate gas supply in Sabah, the administration of the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak, and guidelines on land reserved for federal purposes in the two states.