SEPANG, Aug 6 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) is actively conducting engagement sessions with various stakeholders to gather input for Budget 2025, with a focus on lowering the cost of living.
Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said this follows Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s directive for all ministries to hold engagement sessions for the upcoming budget.
To date, the KPDN has held two engagement sessions with the retail sector and consumer non-governmental organisations, Armizan said.
“We have also presented the findings in the form of a Cabinet note, as there are issues that fall within the purview of other ministries,” he said.
The prime minister previously said Budget 2025, scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on October 18, will focus on tackling living costs.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said cost of living issues are a pressing concern for the public, and it is the government’s duty to alleviate this burden.
Meanwhile, Armizan said the KPDN will focus on increasing and creating income for the people.
“Before this, we prioritised controlling the prices of goods and services, but it is equally important to explore ways to increase the people’s disposable income,” he said.
— Bernama
