Study finds 72pct not for removal of subsidies
A recent survey conducted has found that 72 percent of its respondents do not support the subsidy removal of fuel and electricity.
A recent survey conducted has found that 72 percent of its respondents do not support the subsidy removal of fuel and electricity.
The National Energy Security Survey (Ness) carried out by the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (Awer) found only 27 percent of respondents support the government's effort to reduce and restructure subsidies for fuel and electricity.
Penang recorded the highest percentage in disagreeing with the move at 82 percent, followed by Selangor at 81 percent and Kuala Lumpur at 80 percent.
The highest support came from Putrajaya at 46 percent, followed by Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Sarawak with both at 31 percent.
A majority of those who did not support the move for subsidy removal felt that getting subsidies is their right as citizens of Malaysia, said Awer president S Piarapakaran.
“Some also feel that they need subsidies to reduce their daily expenses while others feel that it is the government’s duty to reduce the people’s cost of living,” he said.
Eighteen percent of respondents who did not support the move felt that subsidies should be given to the needy group.
No confidence gov't will channel savings
When asked whether they are confident that the government will give subsidies to the needy, only 42 percent of the respondents expressed confidence.
The remaining 57 percent of them were not confident. Highest non-confidence on the matter came from Penang (68.09%), followed by Kuala Lumpur (66.78%) and Kelantan (66.45%).
The confidence level of the respondents also took a dip when asked if they are confident that the government will channel the savings from subsidy removal correctly.
“Only 33 percent of Malaysians are confident and the remaining 67 percent of them are not confident,” said Piarapakaran.
Based on the responses, the rising cost of living may have been one of the reasons why most Malaysians disagreed with subsidy removal, he said.
Piarapakaran added that it is harder for Malaysians to understand subsidy removal when it is coupled with “lousy excuses”.
“While government agencies repeatedly issue statements that the subsidy removal process has minimal impact on increasing prices of goods and services, the reality at the grassroots is different.”
He added that the government must also publish detailed spending on how the savings from subsidy removal are finally used.
“Will the relevant agencies release important information related to pricing, savings from subsidy removal and detailed expenditure of the savings?
“If the government is serious about subsidy removal, it must take into consideration how the public views this issue,” he said.
Related stories
Dutch PM envies us, says Najib
1MDB's RM7.18bil Caymans fund pulled back
No reason to reduce petrol prices, says gov’t
Kidex still needs Selangor approval, says minister
High-end property, cars show inequality on rise
After NFC, go after major debtors too, gov't urged
'Gov't taking steps to save MAS as pride of nation'
'Billion ringgit project for a handful of students'
Billions spent in Perak, but little to show
'Ensure federal agencies follow housing guidelines'
