KUALA LUMPUR: Pet care prices and costs will be included in the Basic Expenses for Decent Living (PAKW).
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said inflation in this category has risen much faster than in categories involving human needs.
"I have 19 cats, so I understand the burden when we have a lot of pets. Even though pet care isn't specifically weighted in the current index, the costs associated with maintaining a decent standard of living do take these expenses into account.
"What we need to examine now is adjusting the weightings by categories, such as whether the food basket includes raw foods, prepared foods at home, restaurant meals, and more.
"One category in the inflation index is pet care prices and costs, which have risen much faster than in categories for human needs" he said while concluding the committee-level debate on the 2025 Supply Bill in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said PAKW would be introduced to measure a decent standard of living, meaning that, beyond essential needs like food, housing, and transportation, households would have additional income for social activities and economic contributions.
On a separate matter, Rafizi said that PAKW would also be used to guide the rationalisation of subsidies for RON95 fuel.
He noted that the subsidy rationalisation would consider other factors, such as net income and zakat, and would be adjusted for expenses and dependents.
"Our inflation has been the most stable when measured since 2011. This also influences our government's decision to rationalise subsidies for RON95. If we increase the price, we are concerned it could accelerate inflation again, so controlling inflation is currently a priority.
"Another focus of the government is to raise wages to alleviate the pressures of the cost of living, while the government continues to explore ways to provide services that have become significant household expenses, such as childcare. This matter is being discussed in depth in the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13)," he said.
He added that it is the responsibility of any government to control inflation, as a rise in inflation would reduce the effectiveness of other economic plans; purchasing power would be low even if the economy grows.