Subsidies - need for a relook

SINCE the unity government took office, subsidy rationalisation has been one of its top priorities. The government took the view that a more targeted approach was necessary, as top income earners, despite being the major contributors to taxes in the country, do not deserve to be subsidised when it came to fuel purchases, especially the most widely consumed grade – the RON95.

The government launched the Pangkalan Data Utama or Padu database that would enable it to screen eligible Malaysians based on certain income criteria.