PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that savings from the government's targeted subsidy initiative will be reallocated to benefit the people, with a focus on education, healthcare and upgrading basic infrastructure.
Speaking at the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly on Monday (Sept 22), Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that the move to target diesel subsidies, for example, has enabled the government to implement the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) Appreciation Aid initiative, providing RM100 to eligible Malaysians.
"These savings allow us to give back to the people through initiatives like Sara. Although it's only RM100, the total financial implication for the country is RM2bil. This was only possible because we first implemented targeted subsidies for diesel," Anwar explained.
He further clarified that the savings from the recently adjusted RON95 fuel subsidies, which saw a slight increase for non-citizens but a decrease for citizens, will be channeled back to the people, including funding the reconstruction of public infrastructure severely damaged by the Sabah floods, such as the Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Gaya, slopes, clinics, and schools.
"This is a new burden, and we should utilise these funds to aid those affected. Our priority remains firm to reinvest these returns in the people, particularly in education, health, and basic infrastructure," he emphasised. - Bernama
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