CITIZENS are engaged in a debate regarding the potential consequences of targeted subsidies, which could form a crucial aspect of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) welfare policy.
Many argue that without a thorough examination of the matter, the M40 economic group could face significant negative impacts, making it essential for the government to conduct an in-depth study.
A prominent X user said the following:
The middle-class M40s and lower T20s are still in their honeymoon comfort zone.
They are not aware of what is coming soon.
They would soon be paying RM3.50/L of RON95 petrol, or more.
All the government benefits like fuel, healthcare, and living costs, will be fully channelled… pic.twitter.com/CiSp1t4fkp
— Bitcoin Malaya (@bitcoinmalaya) October 7, 2023
The user also posted a graph (see above) showing how a targeted subsidy plan may work.
Responding to the user, the new DUN Lembah Jaya Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad better known as Altimet, simply said he has shifted to a hybrid vehicle.
This why I copped a hybrid.
— Altimet.eth (@altimet) October 7, 2023
Some users are saying there is no free lunch, hence someone has to pay for all the changes coming. Others are arguing that the graph on targeted subsidy is an old plan from a previous government.
The targeted subsidy programme is expected to be fully implemented beginning next year, according to Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli who added last month that the scheduled launch was based on the Main Data Base System (Padu) this November before it is opened to the public for verification of their socioeconomic status in January next year.
“Whether the mechanism is to be cash transfer or card issuance will be decided from time to time because the priority now is to ensure there is complete information on the socioeconomic status of every household,” he said at a press conference.
On May 15 this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, agreed to establish Padu to integrate the socioeconomic information of every household in the country to streamline the implementation of targeted subsidies.
Anwar noted that the system would help the government ensure that subsidy programmes would be implemented in a more orderly manner to prevent any eligible household from being left out. – Oct 8, 2023
