Govt Denies Fuel Subsidy Cut Happening In June

Earlier this week, Singaporean daily The Straits Times claimed that Putrajaya would begin phasing out fuel subsidies starting June this year. The report adds diesel prices will also shift to market rates and petrol prices will gradually increase following that.

Quoted in the report was Fuziah Salleh, Deputy Minister from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry. In the proposal, the minister stated that the adjustments would take place "soon" but without providing a particular timetable.

The publication also noted that this big economic change will be a litmus test for the Pakatan Harapan-led unity government as the public grapples with high living costs.

However, Fuziah has subsequently clarified that her words were misinterpreted, noting again that she did not confirm any dates and that the unity government has made no formal announcements. This rebuttal also comes despite the wishes of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the subsidy cutbacks will begin in June.

Her remark appears to have caused some uncertainty about the details of the government's plan.

Furthermore, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil denied the newspaper's accusations, stating that the subsidy adjustments were not mentioned at the last cabinet meeting he attended.

He cautioned against premature releases, emphasising the need of gathering information from credible sources, and chastised the daily from across the causeway for relying on unproven material.

Fahmi also reminded the media to be accurate and reliable in their reporting, especially on sensitive economic policies that have a substantial influence on the population.