BUTTERWORTH: Leakages and wastage in government subsidies allocated to the people must be effectively addressed through accurate data and information provided by the Statistics Department Malaysia (DOSM), says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said if these subsidy leakages are not resolved, government spending on subsidies will continue to rise without effectively reaching the intended target groups.
"The funds allocated for agricultural assistance, subsidies for the people and poverty alleviation are substantial.
According to recent studies presented at various forums, including the Khazanah Megatrends Forum, research by international economists indicates that Malaysia, despite having one of the lowest tax collections and tax bases, offers some of the highest subsidies in Asia.
"While it is positive that our subsidies are extensive, without reliable data, we are witnessing significant leakages, which must be addressed urgently,” he said in his speech at the DOSM 75th Diamond Jubilee celebration here on Saturday (Nov 2). - Bernama
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