Nothing shocking about targeted RON95 subsidy, Nik Nazmi tells Muar MP

The targeted RON95 subsidy programme to be implemented in mid-2025 is not a shock to anyone, as it is public knowledge that the government has been planning it for a while, said Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

The natural resources and environmental sustainability minister said this in response to Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who urged the government to stop using tactics to shock the people with announcements of policies that he said have yet to be fully thought through.

“Retargeting RON95 subsidy is no shock therapy. The government has been publicly talking about doing this for some time.

“It takes place with wage increases in public and private sectors as well as increased social safety net,” Nik Nazmi (above) said on LinkedIn today.

Earlier today, Syed Saddiq took Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli to task again over the lack of definition of which income group would come under the T15 category that would not enjoy the subsidy, after the minister rebutted the Muda leader’s criticism of the programme.

“This is the problem when we announce first and think later. This is an issue because the public has already heard the prime minister’s speech.

“The people have already heard what they will lose (subsidies) - RM500 a month on petrol, the loss of education subsidies, healthcare subsidies. They are now afraid to go to clinics due to the very high costs,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat.

‘Gross injustice for rich to get subsidy’

Defending the government’s decision, Nik Nazmi said 85 percent of Malaysian households will still enjoy petrol subsidies despite the move.

“Blanket subsidies where owners of luxury SUVs receive much more subsidies than the owner of a basic motorcycle is a gross injustice,” he added.

During his budget speech last week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the government would implement targeted RON95 subsidies from the middle of next year, though 85 percent of the population would not be affected by it.

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