Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says recovered revenue leakage is crucial for funding subsidies as the world faces an energy crisis.
KOTA TINGGI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has revealed that the RM15.5 billion in national revenue leakage recovered over the past two years has been instrumental in helping the government sustain subsidies for the people during the global energy crisis.
He attributed the successful recovery to strict enforcement actions by the Inland Revenue Board and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, which enabled the government to channel the funds back to those in need.
“The people, including those in the villages and Felda, need to know how the money leaked into the hands of certain people was recovered,” Anwar said during the Felda Semenchu Settlers’ Joint Programme.
He emphasised the necessity of using political and social power to defend the people’s fate and stop such leakages.
The Prime Minister detailed that the government is currently bearing a massive subsidy burden of RM6 billion monthly to support the RON95 petrol subsidy programme and diesel subsidies for farmers, fishermen, and public transport operators.
Anwar did not rule out the possibility of this figure increasing further if the global energy crisis persists.
He also addressed the need for continuous improvement in Felda’s management to restore its prestige, which was previously burdened by old debt problems.
Anwar assured that Felda’s development agenda, covering education, basic facilities, and community well-being, would continue to be strengthened.
At the event, he announced an allocation of RM500,000 to upgrade basic facilities in Felda Semenchu, including improvements to schools, mosques, and other public infrastructure.
The programme was also attended by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, and Felda chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
