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Fuel Subsidy Rationalization To Target The Rich

Oct 20, 2024

The Prime Minister has once again assured that average Malaysians will not be affected by the fuel subsidy rationalization announced under Budget 2025.

He clarified that once implemented…only the very rich and foreigners will have to pay market prices…with the remaining 85 percent of Malaysians to continue enjoying subsidies.

He says this exercise can save the government around 8 billion ringgit…with the savings to be used to help the poor and needy.

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Meanwhile, Malaysians are being urged not to speculate on the income threshold for targeted subsidies.

The Second Finance Minister says the government is still studying the data, and will ensure that subsidies on petrol, health and education all reach the right groups.

This follows criticism by some quarters, claiming that the government plans to raise the income threshold for welfare assistance.

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The Higher Education Ministry says it will make an announcement soon, regarding the new public university tuition fees for students from high-income families.

This, following the government’s decision under the budget to reduce education subsidies for families in the top 15 percent income group.

The Ministry adds that its also refining the criteria to ensure the move is implemented fairly.

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The Health Ministry says it will use a portion of its allocation under the Budget to upgrade and repair hospital toilets and outdated wards…with the work to start as soon as possible.

The Health Ministry received the second-highest allocation under Budget 2025…receiving over 45 billion ringgit for the upcoming year.

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Nearly 100 thousand notices – totaling over 24 million ringgit in fines – have been issued for smoking offences nationwide over the past nine months.

Authorities say this surpasses last year’s fines – which totaled 24 million for the whole of 2023.