KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the implementation mechanism and date for the targeted diesel subsidy would be revealed soon.
Anwar said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan would provide the details, as he had already outlined the plan and only follow-up actions were pending, Bernama reported.
“Some people ask why? Not all prime ministers do it. I give the big picture and framework, then there will be follow-up action.
“… Because I distinguish between policy matters and details,” he said in a press conference after attending the Madani Postnormal Times Exhibition here, today.
On Tuesday, the cabinet agreed to implement the targeted diesel subsidy, which is expected to save the government approximately RM4 billion annually.
Meanwhile, Anwar also criticised the statement of opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who had cynically invited the prime minister to go down to the wet markets to check the burdensome increase in the prices of goods.
“My work every week involves going to the small shop, to the market and every time before the Friday prayer I ask (the people) about the prices. I think he is avoiding the answer that the party is supported by big businessmen,” said the prime minister.
Meanwhile, when asked about the chairman candidate for the Election Commission (EC), Anwar said an individual had already been identified.
“Already… we have followed the process and it must be approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said, adding that the candidate selection process did not require the government to consult with the existing EC deputy chairman.
The commission’s chairman post has been vacant since the retirement of Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh on May 9.
Touching on the appointment of a new Dewan Negara president to replace Datuk Mutang Tagal, who died on May 10, Anwar said the matter would be discussed tomorrow when he would be in Sarawak.
“At the initial stage we will discuss with the party leadership, then with the (Sarawak state government) leadership because the terms of the two (previous) speakers ended prematurely. So I will discuss this tomorrow when I go to Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, in response to the ongoing issue of specialists’ training or the Parallel Pathway programme, Anwar said the matter would be discussed in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday. – May 26, 2024