PM feels 'lemas' over opposition defending T15

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today that he felt “lemas” and puzzled by the opposition’s strenuous defence of the wealthy.

While speaking about the government’s plan of targeted petrol subsidies, he said debates in Parliament showed many in the opposition strongly defending the T15 (top 15 percent of income earners).

“If (I) listen to the parliamentary debate, I ‘lemas’ (feel overwhelmed) also, more parliamentarians defend the T15 rather than the (plight) of the people who constitute 85 percent… the M40 and B40.

“I feel it is strange when some say I am anti-wealthy.

“I am not anti-wealthy. I am merely saying (due to you being) wealthy, do not go to the extent of taking subsidies (for the poor). You are wealthy, so pay.

“If you go to a government hospital and your earnings are RM100,000 a month, then pay a bit.

“If you enrol at a (public) university, your father earns RM100,000 a month, then it is reasonable to take from them additional tuition fees.

“It means that not all education facilities are sponsored; I think this is reasonable,” he said.

The prime minister added that the government views such an approach as proper and not discriminatory as it is based on what one can afford.

Anwar also pointed out that the levied payment is not high for those with high earnings.

“Will the (T15) individual incur a high burden with the payment? No, just pay the rate, and with this, the university’s earnings also increase.

“With this method, we assist (students from) the lower (income group). That is our philosophy,” he said.

The Tambun MP was speaking during a “Temu Anwar” (Meet Anwar) programme at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) in Kuala Lumpur today.

Target subsidy without raising more taxes

Previously, while tabling the 2025 Budget in Parliament, Anwar announced the government would implement targeted subsidies for RON95 petrol in the middle of next year with an estimated RM12 billion for 85 percent of citizens.

He said it was undeniable that foreigners and the T15 currently enjoy a 40 percent subsidy for RON95 valued at RM8 billion.

At the same time, the government is still refining the interpretation of the T15 category by taking into account net salary and locality to ensure fair implementation.

The refining seeks for the T15 category to cover those earning at least RM15,000 to RM20,000 a month.

Explaining further, Anwar dismissed the allegation that he was acting like “Robin Hood” when introducing the targeted subsidy.

He said it is only fair to assist the country’s lower-income group without increasing taxes on everybody.

“If we seek to take care of the poor, we must have sufficient resources.

“We inherited debt up to RM1.5 trillion, and we do not wish to raise (new) taxes for the people. We just raise the tax a bit against the wealthy.”

Anwar added that Malaysia is among the countries providing the highest amount of subsidies while implementing the lowest tax rates.

“The government only seeks for them (T15) to pay the cost price, not additional payment.

“For me, that is fair. If there are quarters seeking to turn it into an issue that is political, (alleged) unfairness, and unreasonable, that is because it involves their business,” he stressed.

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