SEPANG: The government can consider another one-off RM100 payment for students to cope with rising costs, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister and Finance Minister said the request will be weighed during preparations for next year’s budget.
He was responding to a Multimedia University student who asked for a repeat of the RM100 one-off aid given earlier this year.
“We can take this into consideration in the budget,” Anwar said during a dialogue at the university in Cyberjaya yesterday.
He said prices of fuel, noodles, chicken, eggs and sugar in Malaysia remain lower than in many countries, and added that the cost of living is a constant concern and the government is working to address it alongside poverty eradication.
Anwar said that student aid must be balanced with other societal needs.
“I accept this request and we will consider it in next year’s budget,” he said.
He added that flood mitigation in Kelantan also requires funding, Johor seeks high value industries while Kedah faces grinding poverty.
Anwar added that requests for assistance arise everywhere and the government will provide what it can.
He said the recent civil service pay review prioritised the lowest grades.
“That is why we did not raise the salaries of ministers and deputy ministers,” he added.
He said better governance and anti-corruption efforts will free up more funds for the people.
“Recently, enforcement agencies seized between RM4bil to RM5bil from corrupt and misappropriated funds,” he said.
Anwar then said that these funds can be returned to the people.
