Fahmi: Govt refining RON95 subsidy to avoid public impact
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim clearly stated that policies implemented should not hurt the majority of the people.
He said the scrutiny on the implementation has resulted in a slight change to the announcement timeline.
"Following the implementation of several previous policies, including the targeted diesel subsidy and other initiatives, we need to scrutinise the delivery mechanism to avoid negative effects.
"The expanding scope of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) underwent several adjustments after careful study. The same approach is being applied to policies yet to be implemented, including the targeted subsidies for RON95," he said during his weekly press conference, held in the parliament building, today.
Fahmi said the prime minister also touched on the matter during a retreat with members of parliament in Port Dickson and was determined to ensure that any measures will not adversely affect the people.
On June 16, Anwar said the government will proceed with the RON95 fuel subsidy rationalisation, as it is crucial for the country.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said there is no issue of a RON95 price increase affecting the majority of Malaysians.
On June 26, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government will move ahead with its plan to implement targeted subsidies for RON95 petrol this year, but the rollout will be phased to ensure the most effective and least disruptive mechanism is adopted.
He said the aim is to strike a careful balance, delivering fiscal reforms while safeguarding the welfare of the rakyat.
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