Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim defended the government’s recent six-sen reduction in RON95 petrol prices, stressing that even a minor cut requires careful financial consideration due to its fiscal impact.
Anwar said the decision to lower RON95 from RM2.05 to RM1.99 per litre was not made lightly and followed several days of evaluation.
“Some may say it’s just a six-sen reduction, but they don’t realise the broader financial implications for the country. We had to assess the fiscal space thoroughly before moving forward,” he said.
Responding to critics who downplayed the move or compared Malaysia to neighbouring countries, Anwar pointed out that fuel prices in Malaysia remain among the lowest in the region, including Thailand and Singapore.
On the issue of fuel subsidies for foreigners, Anwar reiterated that such subsidies are exclusively for Malaysians.
“Foreigners don’t pay taxes here, so why should they receive the same benefits?” he said, dismissing Opposition claims that the government was being unfair to non-citizens.
Anwar’s remarks come amid ongoing public debate over living costs and subsidy reforms as the government seeks to balance populist expectations with fiscal responsibility.
