KUALA LUMPUR: More than RM20bil has been allocated for subsidies towards consumer goods this year, says the Finance Ministry.
The Ministry said this includes fuel subsidies, which will continue to benefit the majority of Malaysians.
The Payung Rahmah initiative has received an allocation of RM300mil, an increase of RM100mil compared to 2024.
"Some RM700mil will be used to diversify various cost of living programmes, including price controls.
RM250mil has also been prepared for the disruption of necessities in rural and interior areas, especially in Sarawak and Sabah," the ministry said in a written parliamentary reply on Thursday (Feb 27).
The ministry said the main reason for subsidies is to stabilise the price of goods, which can help alleviate the burden of those affected by the rising cost of living.
The ministry added that the government is committed to upholding the people’s well-being.
It was responding to Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang), who asked whether the government intends to reintroduce subsidies for rice and cooking oil to assist those burdened by the cost of living.
