-The Star filepic
PETALING JAYA: Targeted subsidies save the government about RM15.5bil annually, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said every bit of the savings would be used to ensure better allocations to manage the cost of living and to create high-quality infrastructure for the rakyat.
“Subsidies are targeted so that public funds can reach the rakyat,” he said when tabling the Supply Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Oct 10).
Anwar said the floating of chicken and egg prices saved RM1bil respectively.
Targeted subsidies and restructured electricity tariffs saved RM6bil, while rationalising diesel subsidies saved RM5bil.
He also said the RON95 subsidy rationalisation also has the potential of saving up to RM2.5bil, with the Budi95 programme recording more than 10 million Malaysians being able to purchase RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre.
“The database of 16.5 million eligible Malaysians is also being updated to provide additional quotas to 23,000 registered boat owners and more than 52,000 active e-hailing drivers,” he said.
Budget 2026 is themed “Driving the Madani Economy: Empowering the People”.
Individual vehicle owners, farmers and smallholders are also receiving a monthly allowance of RM200.
According to the Dewan Rakyat calendar on the Parliament’s website, the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 will be debated by MPs for eight days at the policy stage, followed by ministerial winding-up sessions from Oct 29 to Nov 4.
Debates at the committee stage will take place from Nov 5 to 27, after which it is expected to be passed by the Dewan Rakyat.
