KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek today reiterated that the RM0.20 fuel hike was meant to strenghten the country’s economy and was not meant to burden the rakyat.
Hasan said Malaysians should trust the direction that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had set to lead the country towards becoming a developed nation.
"After conducting research, this is the right timing to reduce the fuel subsidy. The rakyat should stay positive on Budget 2015 which will be tabled by Najib next week.
"Besides the higher payout of the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M), there will be other incentives to help Malaysians cope with the cost of living," he told a press conference after opening Majlis Aungerah Harta Intelek Negara 2014 here.
He also promised that the impact of the fuel hike would be minimal.