Claims of LPG subsidy withdrawal inaccurate and misleading, says Armizan
He said the ministry had been entrusted with addressing LPG leakages through fraud and smuggling and would never withdraw, reduce or abolish the subsidy.
"In fact, the government remains committed to providing LPG subsidies to the people, as the subsidy is meant for consumers, specifically to support household kitchens.
"At the same time, the government is aware that the business sector, particularly micro and small enterprises operating food and beverage establishments, requires assistance as they provide food services to the public.
"As such, the government is always open to allowing the micro and small business sectors to continue benefiting from the subsidy, while ensuring that prices remain affordable for the people," he said in response to Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) in the Dewan Rakyat.
Young Syefura had asked whether the government intended to withdraw the subsidy, as had been suggested by certain quarters.
He added that the legal aspects, specifically the use of LPG by small traders, would be detailed in the amendment to the Supply Control (Prohibition of Import) Regulations 2021.
"This is to ensure clarity of the law within the control mechanism, while at the same time continuing to allow households and micro and small traders to benefit from the LPG subsidy."
On the amendment, he said the ministry is conducting engagement sessions to gather recommendations and views from various parties to finalise the proposed amendments to the act.
"The government will ensure that control and enforcement aspects are strengthened while continuing to provide subsidies to the people."
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Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
More pragmatic to work with PH - Hajiji
Hajiji replying to reporters at the recent Gagasan Rakyat annual convention. While the 'Go solo!' proponents continue their call, on the other side of the fence, the 'No solo!' advocates are also drumming up for support! The former are those who insist on fighting for independence from political meddling in Sabah by Peninsular-based parties, and continuing to push forward with the 'Sabah for Sabahans' slogan, while the latter feel such a desire, while noble, is not the best choice to win the next state general election (PRN17). Heading this group is no less than the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Hj Noor, who feels that the best strategic choice to win PRN17 and retain governance of Sabah is by keeping GRS intact and strengthened it with a strategic partnership with Pakatan Harapan (PH). He has assured this writer that GRS will definitely not be partnering with Barisan Nasional, hence denying the announcement by Umno President Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi that 'BN will maintain alliance with PH in the next Sabah state general election.' That might as well be because it's hard to picture GRS leaders in the same campaign team with Sabah Umno, headed by Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Mokhtar who once launched the infamous Kinabalu Move (Langkah Kinabalu) coup attempt against the GRS government. Hajiji sympathizes with those who are passionate about going solo, but he says the pragmatic approach to the critical D-Day for the next state government is to work with Pakatan Harapan. He reasons that the obvious tactical advantage with working the PH is the added strength for GRS which will predominate the power balance with complete alignment of the three racial groupings in Sabah – the Momogun, Muslim and Chinese voters. He sees that the PH will bring in the DAP with the pull-in power to attract the Chinese voters, a strength no local Chinese party has. As he has always maintained, Sabah's governance must continue a close co-operation with the federal government for continued development, and partnership with PH in the PRN17 will ensure election victory and pre-seal close state-federal relations post-election. 'We need to be pragmatic and not be unduly influenced by emotion,' he said. 'Going solo may look heroic but that will be a path with huge potentials for mistakes!' He is not alone in his view. In a viral write-up by Usno Chief Information Officer, Iskandar Zulkarnain Ismail, he asserts that 'Let us not allow our common cause to be divided while our political opponents quietly reorganise to reclaim what we built. Let Sabahans see STAR, PBS, USNO and all GRS components rise as one, with clarity, maturity and determination — not out of frustration, but from a place of purpose and people's mandate. As Robert Greene wrote in The 48 Laws of Power, 'Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.' Our opponents are not attacking us directly — they are striking at our unity, hoping we scatter ourselves. Let us not oblige them. In the end, unity is not submission. To struggle within GRS is not to betray principles. To defend our home is not to isolate ourselves. It is to build collective strength, so our political house remains unshakable, and Sabah's future remains in Sabahan hands.' Another write-up forwarded to me by Usno President Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, opines that 'going 'solo' in a five or sixcornered fight may sound heroic, but the number works against voters, especially newcomers to the ballot box. When the field is splintered, a candidate can scrape through with barely eight or ten percent of the vote, meaning each ballot counts for less and whole communities risk being represented by someone most people never chose …. 'Beyond the numbers, frequent changes in government trigger a cascade of administrative resets: every time a new ruling bloc takes over, files are reopened, tenders reviewed, and projects paused. The PanBorneo Highway's stopstart history is a textbook example. Tens of thousands of commuters and businesses waited years while successive administrations rechecked paperwork instead of laying asphalt. Instability also chills federal support. Like it or not, Malaysia's treasury sits in Kuala Lumpur; when Sabah's leadership keeps revolving, officials in Putrajaya grow reluctant to release large, multiyear allocations, unsure whether the next state cabinet will even honour existing agreements. Shut the door on constructive dialogue, and Sabah slides to the back of the funding queue while other states with steadier governance move ahead. In short, a solo crusade may satisfy an urge for defiance, but it fragments voter power, stalls essential projects, and risks freezing out the very development funds firsttime voters want to see invested in their future. As such, GRS leaders and supporters appear to be already split. PBS has repeatedly made the assurance about its loyalty to GRS while STAR has gone along with the flow in GRS with a sizable segment of its members wanting a different path, echoing out the solo dream. But for all we know, Hajiji's choice to continue aligning with PH may actually be the most practical, logical and pragmatic – and wise – approach towards ensuring GRS keeps the seat of government post-PRN17. While cynics may speak negatively against his decision, he may eventually be proven right. His task now, of course, is the sell the idea to all GRS leaders and the people to ensure his formula for victory works out and ultimately solidifying his legacy as a statesman with the record as the longest-serving assemblyman.
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Grassroots voices demand self-determination
The recent PBS-STAR convention was not merely a political gathering, but a powerful manifestation of long-simmering frustration among Sabahans, a resounding cry demanding an end to decades of political marginalization. Thousands of delegates, a surging wave of human energy, united in their demand for independent candidacy, a 'solo' run in the upcoming state election, a bold rejection of the status quo that has long shackled and stifled Sabah's potential. This is not simply a political strategy, but a desperate struggle for survival, an urgent plea for freedom. The resounding 'solo, solo' chants echoing through the hall were not empty slogans, but a passionate declaration. For too long, Sabah has seen its political will controlled by Peninsular-based coalitions, its voice reduced to a faint whisper in the corridors of power. This 'solo' movement is not just another political strategy, but a rebellion against Sabah's systematic neglect within Malaysia's power structure, a rejection of long-standing injustice. Sabah's current political landscape is fraught with fragile and unstable alliances. The GRS government, propped up by PH and BN, appears stable on paper, but the reality on the ground is starkly different, a festering wound of deep-seated discontent. Sabahans feel betrayed, their autonomy eroded by this pragmatic and soulless political marriage, an alliance forged not on genuine unity, but on narrow and self-serving political considerations. This sense of betrayal was further fueled by UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's statement on July 29th, broadcast on Astro Awani, declaring the BN-PH collaboration in Sabah as 'locked in.' This arrogant assertion, this blatant disregard for Sabah's political sovereignty, is an unacceptable insult. My friend Ansari Abdullah, a lawyer and keen political observer, offered a particularly insightful analogy in a Facebook post: 'It seems Barisan Nasional is the first wife and GRS the second wife to Pakatan Harapan. So, when the first wife contests against the second wife, who will PH support?' (The original Malay: 'Nampaknya Barisan Nasional ialah isteri pertama dan GRS isteri kedua kepada Pakatan Harapan. Jadi, apabila isteri pertama bertanding dengan isteri kedua, siapa yang akan disokong oleh PH?') This analogy perfectly encapsulates the transactional nature of these political alliances. Based on Ansari Abdullah's analogy and my own analysis of Zahid's declaration, I conclude there has been a profound betrayal of the Sabah people's trust. When national leaders arbitrarily dictate Sabah's future, where is Sabah's voice? Where is its right to self-determination? Where is justice and equality? The passionate calls for 'solo' candidacy at the convention were not a promise from the entire GRS coalition, but the authentic expression of the will of 5,000 PBS and STAR supporters, their powerful voices demonstrating their unwavering resolve. They are tired of playing second fiddle, of being sidelined and ignored. They demand a decisive break from the past, a future where Sabah's self-determination is fully respected and its unique identity is celebrated within Malaysia.' This overwhelming frustration is the culmination of repeated betrayals, of broken promises, of Sabah's aspirations consistently sacrificed for Peninsular interests. Cooperation is necessary, but not at the cost of Sabah's unique and precious identity. This is not simply about rejecting cooperation, but about demanding respect, demanding equal rights, demanding that Sabah's voice be heard and valued. The burning question: who decides Sabah's fate? Is it the leaders on the ground, who understand the unique and diverse needs of Sabah's communities, or is it determined by distant federal leaders who may prioritize their own national agendas? This is a profound crisis of trust. When local leaders readily align with federal coalitions without transparent and meaningful consultation with their constituents, the bonds of trust are shattered. Sabah's leaders must seize this momentum wisely. The PBS-STAR convention was not just a display of unity, but a clear signal to act. Ignoring the 'solo, solo' calls would be a dangerous gamble, a major betrayal of the people's trust. This is not empty idealism, but an urgent political imperative. The path forward demands a fundamental rebalancing of the relationship between Sabah and the Peninsula. This is about strengthening Sabah's autonomy within Malaysia, prioritizing its agenda, establishing clear boundaries, and demanding decisive action to address its concerns. The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) provides a clear framework for Sabah's autonomy. Building upon the principles enshrined in MA63, Sabah should strive to secure a political space that fully reflects its unique needs and aspirations, ensuring a future where its rights are respected and its potential is fully realized. I am glad that ongoing discussions between the Sabah State and Federal governments are underway to fully implement MA63. This process is crucial for securing a future where Sabah's voice is heard and its destiny is determined by its own people. It provides crucial context by highlighting the legal framework of the MA63 which underpins Sabah's claims for greater autonomy. Sabah has governed independently before. It has proven its capacity for self-rule. Let this past success inspire today's leadership to reclaim Sabah's political space, a space that truly reflects its unique needs and aspirations. This challenge is not just for PBS and STAR, but the responsibility of every leader in Sabah. Are we building a movement rooted in Sabah's reality, or are we merely tools of a national agenda? Sabah's future depends on this choice. Will Sabah progress with dignity and purpose, on its own terms, or will it remain a political colony? The convention has spoken; now, the leadership must respond with concrete action. The pressure is mounting. Some say leaving GRS is political suicide, but the people are crying out for change. The youth are disillusioned, weary of empty promises and ambiguous alliances. They demand clarity, not recycled narratives where loyalty is traded for positions and federal funds. PBS and STAR must honestly assess their position: are they being used to advance a Peninsular agenda, or are they genuine partners in a fair and equitable collaboration? The convention showcased both strength and underlying divisions, hesitations, and grassroots discontent. It is no longer about alliances, but about the why and the cost to the people of Sabah. Some claim going solo is suicidal, but the July 13th convention, with its electrifying 'GRS Solo!' chant from 7,000 participants, proves otherwise. It was not a top-down strategy, but a bottom-up revolution. It is not suicide, but a rebirth. This groundswell of support from the grassroots demands respect. It challenges the narrative of inevitable failure, promising a future where Sabah determines its own destiny. Ignoring this powerful wave of self-determination risks a catastrophic political backlash. The promises made must be kept, or Sabah will rise again, stronger, demanding its rightful place in the nation.
Free Malaysia Today
9 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Nothing extraordinary about 13MP, says Ramasamy
Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy said the initiatives outlined for non-Malays in the 13MP appear 'more tokenistic than transformative'. PETALING JAYA : Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy has played down the impact of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) tabled in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, saying there is nothing extraordinary about it and that it mirrors the five-year plans introduced in the past. Ramasamy said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had said that the 13MP would shift from an ethnic-based approach to one that was needs-based, adding however that in practice, the plan was 'largely a continuation of the status quo'. 'Whether the plan can be implemented effectively, especially given the rise in foreign debt, remains to be seen,' he said in a Facebook post. The Urimai chairman also dismissed the initiatives outlined for non-Malays, comparing them to the financial assistance provided to the Bumiputera community to encourage economic participation. The initiatives outlined for the Bumiputera community included plans to help more Bumiputera companies become publicly listed, and institutional support for Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the supply chain sector. Meanwhile, Ramasamay said, the Chinese community was promised the development of their new villages, and the focus for the Indian community was on expanding their participation in skills-based programmes. 'These gestures appear more tokenistic than transformative,' he added. The 13MP will involve a total of RM611 billion over five years, with major upgrades promised in transport, education, health, and renewable energy, among others. Anwar said RM430 billion in development funds would be from the government's coffers, while government-linked companies and government-linked investment companies would provide RM120 billion. The remaining RM61 billion will be derived from the private sector via private-public partnerships.
