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[UPDATED] PM: Opposition should defend lower, middle-income, not T15

BUTTERWORTH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has chided opposition lawmakers, questioning why they are speaking up in defence of the T15 (Top 15) income group rather than the majority of Malaysians when it comes to subsidy rationalisation.

Speaking at the launch of the National Hawkers and Small Traders Carnival 2024 at PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena here today, he said the opposition members of parliament were defending the T15 group on the matter rather than people in the lower- and middle-income group.

He reiterated that subsidies for 85 per cent of the people, including the lower- and middle-income group, still remained.

He said that was the Madani government's policy.

"In my (2025 Budget) speech in Parliament, I said that subsidies would be gradually reduced for the T15 group. Even then, we (the government) are still studying the matter.

"However, they (members of the opposition) are saying that for T15 earning RM13,000, the income is still low. Maybe they (those in the T15 group) may have five children, with two pursuing their studies at universities. We will relook into this. We will increase it.

"By right, politicians should be defending the 85 per cent of people, who comprised traders, small hawkers and fishermen. Instead, in Parliament, they (the opposition) are talking in defence of the T15 group, the rich and ultra rich.

"When they entered the kampung, they claimed to champion the kampung people.

"But in Parliament, they are defending the rich people. Even on social media they are causing a fuss. They are crying 'unfair' in their defence of the T15 group," he said.

Anwar said that if it was unfair to the people, then what about those earning RM100,000 a month, RM300,000 a month, which the government was also providing subsidies.

"So, please understand.

"If we don't do this, then we cannot administer the country fairly," he added.

Explaining, Anwar said the government was not increasing taxes for the T15 group.

"Instead, we are just reducing handouts to (people who are in) the T15 (group), they just have to pay according to market rates, just like how we do with the electricity (subsidy) rationalisation.

T15 households with seven air conditioners and six fans, he said, should pay their electricity bills based on market rates.

"What we (the government) are reducing (in subsidy spending) should go to those in the lower and middle income group.

"But what we hear on the ground is otherwise. That is why I want you (traders and small hawkers) to explain the matter. Our policy is to help the people.

"So, if you are earning RM1 million a month, what electricity subsidy should you enjoy? This is similar to the petrol subsidy," he added.

On Friday, Anwar had said that he was not a "Robin Hood" when introducing subsidy rationalisation in the 2025 Budget's tabling.

Speaking at the Temu Anwar Dialogue programme at the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Anwar said he was simply acting fair in assisting the lower-income groups.

Present at the event were Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick and his deputy Datuk Ramanan Ramakrishnan.

Also present Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

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