Syed Saddiq: Govt Must Reconsider Cutting Subsidies for T15, Many Middle-Income Families Fall Under This Group

Last Friday, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim tabled the Budget 2025 in Parliament, stating that the petrol subsidy cut targets the top 15% of income earners (T15) and foreigners who don’t need it.

After the announcement, Muar MP Syed Saddiq shared his thoughts on TikTok, calling out the government for its plans to raise the income threshold for welfare aid.

“Who falls under the T15 category?”

In the video, Syed Saddiq shared that he disagrees with the idea, saying it could create a bigger class divide, especially hitting the middle class. He added that this might hurt households earning around RM7,000 a month.

He warned that families in the top 15% income bracket, including those making a combined RM12,000, will lose access to key subsidies for petrol, education, and healthcare.

“This would unfairly hurt middle-income earners”

Syed Saddiq explained that if subsidies are cut for both families and their kids, he’s worried this might unfairly hurt middle-income earners and widen the gap between income groups.

“The budget announced that the top 15% (T15) of Malaysians won’t get subsidies for petrol, education, and healthcare anymore. But what does being in the top 15% even mean?”

He went on to say that in Malaysia, households in the top 15% earn about RM12,000 a month. But according to data from the Statistics Department, household income is the total income of everyone in the family, not just individuals.

“Is it fair to punish those who are only earning RM7,000?”

Syed Saddiq added that with an average household of 3.8 people, families with 2 working members earning a combined RM12,000 would be denied these crucial subsidies.

“Is it fair for us to punish those who, I honestly feel, fall into the middle-class category since their average monthly salary is only RM7,000?”

In light of this, he’s urging the government to reconsider this matter because the RM7,000 threshold is too low.

“While the government claims they are fighting against the wealthy, in reality, people in that category are only making RM7,000, which shouldn’t be classified as wealthy.”

You can watch the full video down below:

@syedsaddiq

Kerajaan mahu tarik subsidi Petrol, Pendidikan & kesihatan dari rakyat yabg bergajikan ~RM7000 sebulan. Adil atau zalim? #belanjawan2025

♬ original sound – Syed Saddiq – Syed Saddiq

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know down in the comments!

Also read: Budget 2025: Government to Maintain RON95 Subsidies for 85% of M’sians Which Costs RM12 Billion