KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he is not a "Robin Hood" when introducing subsidy rationalisation for the T15 group in the 2025 Budget.
Speaking at the Temu Anwar Dialogue programme at the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) here today, Anwar said he was simply acting fair in assisting the lower-income groups.
"If we want to take care of the poor, we must have sufficient resources. We inherited debts amounting to RM1.5 trillion, and we do not wish to tax the people heavily. We are only levying a modest tax on the ultra-wealthy.
"This is not Robin Hood, but merely a withdrawal of subsidies," he said.
During the 2025 Budget tabled on Oct 18, Anwar said subsidies would be gradually reduced for the T15, with the savings used to improve infrastructure for boarding schools and public universities.
On Oct 21, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said the definition of the T15 income category, which would be excluded from several government subsidies next year, was still being refined.
Rafizi, however, confirmed that the T15 would not be solely defined by gross household income, but also by factors like locality and basic household spending.
Anwar in the dialogue also said Malaysia is among the countries with the highest subsidies and the lowest tax rates in the world.
"Imagine, there are some of the wealthiest individuals in this country who, under previous policies, received electricity subsidies from the government.
"The government only wants them to pay the actual cost. To me, that is fair. If certain parties wish to politicise this issue, calling it unfair or unreasonable, it is because it affects their business interests," he said.
He added that he would continue to do his best for the welfare of the people and the country.
Anwar also highlighted the importance of maintaining diplomatic relations with all countries for the benefit of Malaysia and its people.
"My friends advised me not to be too harsh (in criticising the occupation of Palestine) because it could hurt investments from the United States.
"But I maintained my relationship with them. When I met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at Vientiane, Laos, recently, we spoke about investments, Gaza and Lebanon," he said.
Anwar also said there were suggestions to sever ties with Russia and the United States from his counterparts.
"I told them that's their problem if they have conflict with each other, but do not involve us. We are a sovereign and independent country. We make decisions for the betterment of the country and its people," he said.