Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it is not easy for the government to reduce the price of RON95 petrol, even by just six cents, as it must consider the financial implications for the country.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said that was why he had to take a few days before announcing the decision, as it needed to be carefully evaluated before being shared with the public last Wednesday.
“We reduced the petrol price to RM1.99… yes, countries like Thailand and Singapore have already done so, but our price is lower, and this is for Malaysians.”
“If people are ungrateful or disagree, that’s fine, but it’s not easy… that’s why it took days to calculate, so don’t belittle this… they say it’s just a six-cent difference, but they didn’t listen to the explanation,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said some parties questioned why the government does not subsidise foreigners, but he firmly stated that it is unnecessary as they do not pay taxes to the government.
“I find it strange when the opposition says why burden foreigners, they also contribute to the country… I don’t understand what kind of world gives foreigners the same treatment as citizens?” he said.
Anwar also addressed criticism over the one-off RM100 cash aid under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) program for all citizens aged 18 and above.
“The RM100 aid is an addition to the allocation, increasing it from RM13 billion to RM15 billion… husbands and wives will each receive RM100, and if they have children aged 18, they’ll get it too.”
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Also read: “Petrol was RM1.25 under PN” – Politician Says Previous Govt Allowed EPF Withdrawals & More
