Muhyiddin (right) interacting with Standard One pupils from Sekolah Kebangsaan Permatang Badak in Kuantan. — Bernama photo
KUANTAN: The government will review the decision to rationalise subsidy so that it can truly ease the burden of the target group, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said the government subsidy must be looked at in a more holistic manner in efforts to reduce the burden of the people, especially the target group.
“(The move to) Review several decisions that we took to rationalise subsidy could reduce the burden of the target group.
“We (the government) rationalised the subsidy so that it will not be utilised by those who are not really eligible, those who are bearing the burden are earning a small income and must be given considerable aid,” he said.
He disclosed this to reporters after handing out schooling paraphernalia contributed by the Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS) at Sekolah Kebangsaan Permatang Badak, here yesterday.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said as chairman of the Special Committee on Tackling the Cost of Living, he would hold a meeting shortly with the ministers, deputy ministers and the relevant agencies including the suppliers of utilities and the local authorities to discuss the matter.
“(The meeting is being held) So that we can look at it in a holistic and comprehensive manner and how the government and the relevant agencies and bodies can take further measures.
“Our objective is that if we cannot avoid (the increase) in future, we can probably ease the burden of the people in the medium and long-term. This is because the government is concerned about the problems of the people and do not want them to face a greater burden because certain parties may increase prices that may create problems (to the people),” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the government was aware of the current issue concerning the rising cost of living and would do its level best to ease the burden of the people.
“As chairman of the Special Committee to Tackle the Cost of Living, I will discuss with the prime minister to study the latest situation and will get more detailed feedback besides the decision made to review certain rates and cost imposed by the private sector or government institutions that had to be borne by the consumers,” he said.
He said the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) had also been directed to take more stringent action against traders who indiscriminately increased the prices of their goods or services.
“The KPDNKK took stern measures not to monitor but to take action against the irresponsible traders.
“In addition, the people too had the right not only to demand for action from the government but also to act according to the existing legislation under the Competition Act which was approved since 2012,” he said.
Muhyiddin said that in efforts to tackle the living cost, the government would also take action to raise the people’s income, for example, to encourage them to engage in part-time work such as doing small business and venturing into agro-based industry because the government was channelling numerous aid.
Commenting on the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the 11 measures to reduce public sector expenditure, including reducing the entertainment allowances for ministers and deputy ministers by 10 per cent, effective Jan 1, Muhyiddin said the government was also now more prudent in controlling its expenditure. — Bernama