KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 —The government will review the phased implementation of retargeting subsidies and assistance for other subsidised goods, including sugar, rice, and cooking oil.
Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said the move aims to prevent leakages and ensure subsidies are enjoyed only by those who genuinely need them, similar to the targeted approach implemented for diesel subsidies and the Budi Madani RON95 (BUDI95) initiative.
“For now, the government’s priority is to ensure the smooth implementation of the targeted diesel fuel subsidy and BUDI95 programmes, which will serve as the foundation for broader subsidy retargeting,” she said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Lim was responding to Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid's supplementary query on the government’s plans to expand targeted subsidies to other essential goods like sugar, cooking oil, and rice.
Meanwhile, Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said the Central Database Hub (Padu) has compiled 30.4 million profiles of Malaysian citizens and permanent residents since its launch in January 2024.
As of Friday (October 31), 17 applications for Padu data usage had been approved for policy formulation and programme implementation.
“One recent example is the use of Padu data as a reference for the BUDI95 initiative.
“Other agencies approved to use Padu data include the Works Ministry, the National Digital Department, the Higher Education Department, and the Skills Development Department,” she said.
Hanifah was responding to Bagan Serai MP Datuk Idris Ahmad's query on the study of Padu's effectiveness in implementing targeted subsidies before the initiative is expanded nationwide.
The question also covered the number of verified recipients and mitigation measures to prevent the systemic or technical exclusion of those in the B40 and M40 income groups.
