KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Umno has urged the government to reconsider its approach on rationalising subsidies, says its chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
She said while they understood the need to optimise government spending, there was also a need to understand that every ringgit taken from subsidies would add to the people's burden.
"We propose a comprehensive review and more prudent, phased approach to subsidy rationalisation," she said in her policy speech during the wing's meeting today (Thursday).
Noraini also called on the government to ensure a more holistic approach in economic development that not only provides short-term assistance, but also lifts people out of poverty.
"We should also not overlook the M40 group who are too 'rich' to qualify for aid, but too 'poor' to live comfortably in this modern economic era," she added.
The deputy women, family and community development minister said the country was seeing a clash of ideas between a capitalist-based economy and people-centric one.
While there were towering skyscrapers, elevated highways and luxury shopping malls scattered nationwide, she said the peoples' lives showed a totally different reality on the ground.
"We still see single mothers having to choose between buying books for her children or paying the electricity bill.
"We have met with young graduates who are forced to sell nasi lemak because they cannot find jobs that fit their qualifications.
"We hear the grouses of small traders squeezed between luxury shopping malls, struggling every day to keep their businesses afloat," she said.
Noraini added that the reality of a people-centric economy could not be neglected.
"Small- and medium-scale enterprises, small-scale agriculture and the informal economy, these are the lifeblood driving much of the lives of Malaysians, especially in rural areas," she said.