BALIK PULAU: Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan will seek an audience with the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, soon to clarify issues regarding the Federal Government’s allocation for Pahang.
He said the proposed meeting could be held before the end of this week and comes in response to the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang’s calls for federal intervention related to the state’s revenue, including approval for river sand exports.
“I will seek an audience with the Sultan of Pahang this week to provide some clarification.
“I believe the issue can be resolved once all parties understand what has already been allocated and the attention that has been given,” he said after attending the handing-over ceremony for the additional preschool classroom block at SK Tan Sri Awang Had Salleh yesterday.
He said the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that all states receive allocations based on their needs in accordance with the Federal Constitution.
Amir Hamzah explained that the government continuously strives to increase state allocations, particularly involving development expenditure based on priorities.
On issues related to the Budi95 fuel subsidy, he reiterated that the Cabinet had never discussed any new classification involving the T20 or similar categories in relation to fuel subsidies.
He said the government’s current focus is on the smooth implementation of the petrol subsidy mechanism.
“We believe the system we have is comprehensive and fair for everyone, and, as mentioned, we are looking to expand it to Sabah and Sarawak as well,” he said.
On calls to restore the Budi95 fuel quota to 300 litres, he said the government had to take into account the impact of the Middle East conflict on global fuel supply and prices.
He said, despite global supply pressures, Malaysia remains in a relatively stable position because the country produces oil domestically and has experienced operators such as PETRONAS.
Amir Hamzah said the nation’s monthly fuel subsidy costs had surged from about RM700mil previously to nearly RM7bil at its peak.
Although prices have eased recently, subsidy costs still remain between RM3.5bil and RM4bil a month, he said.
