KUALA LUMPUR: Muar member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has proposed that the government consider a law to guarantee regular and consistent increases in social assistance for those in need.
The move, he said, would provide more reliable support for them.
"If the prime minister can, include it through an amendment to the law so that the increases in the amount of assistance can be made regularly and consistently.
"For example, we can tie it with the country's inflation rate, we do it annually or every three years. By doing so, we won't have to wait for such an announcement to be made in each budget.
"If we can do this, you (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) are effectively institutionalising change. In the future, it (the social assistance) will no longer depend on political will, in case there is a change of government," he said during prime minister's question time at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar then responded: "Regarding the proposal to have a law for that, we will study it. This is a good suggestion, particularly in considering needs based on the rising cost of living."
Earlier, Syed Saddiq praised the 2025 Budget, in which he said the initiatives tabled to eradicate poverty were clear, fresh and positive.
He also praised the government's announcement to increase its financial assistance by RM3 billion next year.