PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli has urged Malaysians to understand the true purpose of targeted subsidies, stressing that the policy is not about cutting costs or depriving citizens, but about creating a fairer system of social protection. Speaking in Podcast YBM Episode 46, Rafizi said many people wrongly assume that targeted subsidies mean the government wants to save money and take back benefits from the rakyat.
“Duit subsidi itu tetap duit rakyat. Sepatutnya ia kembali kepada rakyat. Cuma persoalannya, cara mana yang lebih adil?” he explained. Rafizi argued that bulk subsidies, such as RM20 billion spent on fuel, disproportionately benefit wealthier individuals who consume more, while poorer households receive far less.
Subsidies
He suggested that the same amount could be redistributed through monthly cash transfers, allowing B40 and M40 families to receive between RM200 and RM700 depending on household needs. “Itu bukan wang hadiah. Itu bukan duit raya. Itu bukan bantuan setahun sekali. Yang kita perlukan ialah sistem keselamatan sosial,” Rafizi said, adding that assistance should be regular and reliable, like a salary, without requiring repeated applications or dependence on officials’ discretion.
Rafizi highlighted the importance of PADU, Malaysia’s national data system, in ensuring aid reaches the right households and adapts to changing costs of living. He described this as a genuine opportunity for subsidy reform, warning that failure to act now would burden future generations as Malaysia faces rising living costs and an ageing population.
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