COMMUNICATIONS and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa should set an example by not spreading fake news himself on the Government’s initial proposal to remove subsidies for essential items, said former finance minister Lim Guan Eng.
“Annuar’s claim that the Government had decided to increase the subsidies’ value and review previous subsidies so the implementation will be more effective has no merit and is not supported by facts and figures,” he said, in a statement.
On June 23, Annuar said that the Government was not withdrawing subsidies but is increasing the subsidy value to help ease the burden of those affected by the current rising prices of goods.
“As the minister in charge of communications, I deny vehemently that there is a decision to stop all the subsidies on July 31 as alleged. It is a huge slander and completely untrue.
“The Government had made a firm decision regarding the policy to assist the people by providing subsidies, which will remain,” Bernama reported him as saying.
It is to note that the Government had since backtracked on the decision following public uproar.
Having “bad Maths” day?
On that note, Lim said that even pro-Government leaders have noted that the removal of subsidies for chicken, eggs and cooking oil (except for 1kg packs) will save the Government RM960 mil.
“Out of the RM960 mil, only RM630 mil will be given out in additional aid. It means the Government will save RM330 mil at the expense of the poor.
“So how can Annuar say that the Government had decided to increase the subsidy value when RM960 mil worth subsidies are replaced by RM630 mil in additional aid?
“Is he spinning fake news or is he not good in Maths?” asked the DAP chairman. – June 26, 2022
