JOHOR BARU: The government will not rush into raising fuel prices despite mounting economic pressures, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said Putrajaya is taking a cautious approach to subsidy rationalisation to avoid burdening the rakyat.
“We decided not to rush into increasing prices. We must first manage consumption and ensure fairness,” he said when speaking at the Johor PKR convention held here on Sunday (April 5).
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, acknowledged that there are strong views, including from economic advisers, calling for subsidy adjustments.
However, he stressed that any decision must take into account its impact on the people.
“Yes, there are pressures, but we are managing this carefully,” he said.
He added that targeted subsidies remain in place for key groups such as farmers, transport operators and e-hailing drivers.
While some have pointed out price differences with neighbouring countries, Anwar said such comparisons must be viewed in a broader economic context.
He noted that sudden increases could create wider economic challenges and affect cost of living.
At the same time, Anwar said the government is working on long-term structural reforms to ensure fiscal sustainability.
He also highlighted that major development projects and economic initiatives are continuing, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
“This reflects our commitment to strengthening the economy while balancing the needs of the rakyat,” he said.
Anwar admitted that managing the economy requires difficult decisions and cannot be resolved immediately.
“We cannot do everything at once. We must proceed step by step,” he added.
He said the government remains focused on ensuring stability while gradually implementing necessary reforms.
