On August 6, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made headlines by directing the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate claims that former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had defended foreigners receiving subsidised RON95 fuel. The issue lit up social media and political circles, with supporters on both sides either demanding accountability or decrying the move as political theatre.
But while the drama plays out on the front pages, the people of Malaysia are left wondering: Is this what leadership looks like? At a time when the nation faces mounting economic pressure, widening inequality, and a dire need for structural reforms, is this really the fire that needs putting out first?
Let us be clear. Fuel subsidies are a serious matter. But using public institutions to investigate a verbal claim in Parliament, especially without solid evidence presented upfront, raises bigger questions about the government's priorities and its political maturity.
The Real Cost of Fuel
RON95 fuel has long been a symbol of government assistance to the people. Priced artificially low, it’s a form of indirect income support. But according to Finance Ministry data, Malaysia spent RM50.8 billion on fuel subsidies in 2022 alone, with RON95 accounting for a lion’s share of that amount.
The subsidy rationalisation exercise announced this year aims to cut costs by targeting assistance to Malaysian citizens only. This means removing blanket subsidies and replacing them with targeted cash transfers such as STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah). But the implementation remains patchy, and the communication surrounding it confusing.
This is where the core issue lies. People are more upset about how the subsidy cut affects their daily lives than whether or not Muhyiddin uttered a questionable remark. A working-class father in Rawang or a food delivery rider in Kota Kinabalu couldn’t care less about political jabs they want to know if they can afford to fill their tank next week.
Political Theatre at the Expense of Real Issues
Let’s examine the timing. The Anwar-led administration is already facing criticism over rising living costs. The recent electricity tariff adjustments, increase in service tax to 8%, and subsidy withdrawals are all contributing to a palpable sense of strain, especially among the B40 and lower M40 groups.
Instead of addressing these anxieties with clarity and leadership, the government appears to be channelling energy into petty political turf wars. If Anwar believed Muhyiddin made a dangerous or misleading statement, why not play the clip in Parliament or issue a direct challenge with proof? Instead, we now have the MCMC involved an agency that should be focusing on genuine problems like cyberbullying, online scams, and misinformation that affects national security.
This saga reflects a larger sickness in our political ecosystem: the inability to rise above party lines for the sake of the rakyat.
What the Rakyat Really Care About
To put things into perspective, consider what Malaysians are truly grappling with today:
1. Cost of Living Crisis
A recent survey by Merdeka Center (June 2025) found that 68% of Malaysians list "cost of living" as their top concern. That’s up from 52% in 2023. Prices of basic goods have risen by 14% in the past year, with chicken, eggs, cooking oil, and vegetables seeing double-digit hikes.
Meanwhile, real wages remain stagnant. Many private-sector workers have not received meaningful pay raises since the pandemic. Some who were retrenched during COVID-19 are still in precarious gig work, juggling multiple apps just to meet basic expenses.
2. Education Inequality
The much-publicised RM67 billion education overhaul is still a concept on paper. In reality, many Tamil and Chinese vernacular schools in rural areas continue to face poor infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of qualified teachers.
Digital learning remains a luxury in many parts of Sabah and Sarawak. While the government boasts of launching tablets and modules, in truth, thousands of students in Bario, Lawas, and Kuala Lipis still struggle to access stable internet.
3. Healthcare System Fatigue
A July 2025 report from the Ministry of Health reveals that public hospitals are now operating at 120% capacity. Emergency rooms are overstretched, while outpatient clinics report average wait times of 3–5 hours. This is not just an urban problem it’s nationwide.
Many general practitioners in smaller towns say patients delay visits due to cost concerns or fear of being referred to overloaded public facilities. That’s a ticking time bomb for public health.
4. Youth Employment Crisis
Graduate underemployment is now affecting 4 in 10 young Malaysians, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Many degree holders work in unrelated fields marketing grads doing food delivery, engineering grads manning retail counters.
Rather than launching yet another probe into a political statement, the government must prioritise job creation strategies reforming TVET, revamping hiring incentives, and ensuring university courses match real-world industry needs.
The Bigger Picture: What Are We Teaching Our Citizens?
By giving headlines to political tit-for-tats and deploying national agencies for what amounts to a he-said-she-said debate, we’re sending the wrong message: that personal battles matter more than national development.
This leads to public cynicism. Voters become disengaged. People lose hope in both sides of the aisle. Youth turn away from democratic participation, and extremism or apathy fills the void.
Let’s Be Better Than This
Political accountability matters, but it must be exercised with wisdom, proportion, and timing. Using a national regulator to investigate a former PM’s alleged Parliament remarks without first proving them in public is excessive.
Malaysia is in a fragile state. The ringgit is struggling. Investor confidence is shaky. Public patience is wearing thin. This is a time to prioritise governance, not gamesmanship.
If Anwar wants to prove that his government is different, then walk the talk: be transparent, be reform-minded, and most of all stay focused on what really matters.
Fuel the people’s hopes, not petty firestorms.
Annan Vaithegi writer focusing on governance, social policy, and national reform.
Annan Vaithegi (annanvaithegi@icloud.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact creator@newswav.com.
