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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim places the welfare of the people above all else, with ministries not allowed to arbitrarily remove subsidies, particularly for essential goods and food items, according to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Speaking at a political ceramah in Sungai Dua, Penang, Mohamad Sabu or as he is better known as Mat Sabu, said discussions on removing chicken egg subsidies had initially faced strong resistance from the Prime Minister due to concerns that it could trigger price increases for basic goods.
He said the issue was repeatedly discussed between himself, ministry officials and the Prime Minister before a decision was eventually made to proceed, after assurances were received from industry players.
“Prime Minister is the most difficult person to convince when it comes to price increases. He did not agree. Previously, when we wanted to remove the egg subsidy, I and my officers had to meet him repeatedly to inform him that we intended to remove the chicken egg subsidy,” he said.
“He asked, won’t prices go up? After that he joked and said, Mat (Mohamad), if prices go up, you’re responsible.”
Mat Sabu said he assured Anwar that discussions had already been held with poultry farmers and that the industry was largely cooperative, apart from a small number of cartel-like operators.
“I said, no, we have already discussed with the farmers. We should not be hostile towards them. Those doing wrong, the cartels, are only one or two, but the majority of farmers can cooperate.”
He added that following the removal of the subsidy, egg prices did not rise as feared, but instead there was an oversupply during the recent Ramadan period.
“So, when we removed the chicken egg subsidy, prices did not go up. In fact, there was an egg glut during the recent Ramadan period,” he said.
In another part of his speech, Mat Sabu, who is also Amanah president, warned party members against internal manoeuvres aimed at destabilising the government, referring to so-called “backdoor” or “tebuk atap” attempts to topple administrations through defections or internal sabotage.
He said political unity within the ruling coalition was essential, drawing lessons from the 2018 collapse of the then government following the Sheraton Move.
“Issues of unity are important. That is why I am very angry when there are rumours about attempts to carry out ‘tebuk atap’ in Negeri Sembilan, something we have already experienced before.”
“In the case of the Sheraton Move, when ‘tebuk atap’ is mentioned, there must be insiders involved. That is why governments usually fall because of people inside. It is rarely due to the strength of the opposition.”
Mohamad urged members not to repeat past mistakes and to act swiftly to block any attempts to undermine the administration from within.
“Therefore, based on our experience in 2018 when we were given the mandate, do not repeat it. If there are any rumours of ‘tebuk atap’, we must act quickly to stop it,” he said.
He stressed that continued cooperation between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional was crucial for stability and effective governance.
“We know that when we are allies with BN, there are many things we criticise them for and they criticise us as well. But when we are partners, we can resolve issues at the negotiation table and there is no need to go to the media when we discuss and negotiate.”
“Thank God, this government has been running well for three and a half years. I believe that if it continues to run well until the next general election, this unity government will return to power in the next election.”
“Maintain unity within our government, between PH and BN. Keep that unity. Even at our angriest, it should last only until the election. Do not create chaos before the election in order to preserve unity among us all,” he said.
He added that any change in political arrangements would only be considered closer to the next general election, depending on circumstances at the time.
“For now, we are together, but if the situation changes as the election approaches and a different formula emerges, we will deal with it in another way,” he said. - May 9, 2026
