KOTA BELUD: The government has denied claims by certain quarters that the on-going rationalisation of subsidies is a cruelty to the people.
Urban Wel lbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said, on the other hand, the move was to ensure they reached the targetted groups.
“Cruelty is giving subsidy to those who are not entitled to it.
Cruelty is condoning the rampant leakages via smuggling.
“If the opposition says the restructuring of subsidies is cruel, I want to stress that it is more unjust to allow leakages amounting to hundreds of millions of ringgit, prior to this, going unchecked,” he said.
He said this to reporters after opening the 21st annual general meeting of the Kota Belud Area Fishermen Association here, yesterday.
During the ceremony, he also gave RM200 each to 556 fi shermen in subsistence allowance aid.
Abdul Rahman sai d the gain from the rationalisation of subsidies could be used for national development besides giving direct aid to the people such as the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M).
Earlier in his speech, Abdul Rahman said the rationalisation exercises did not mean the welfare of the well-to-do was ignored as they were also taxpayers.
However, he said the government had another approach to help them progress, stay competitive and contribute towards the national development, including by providing modern and advanced infrastructure.
Meanwhile Abdul Rahman reminded the fishermen to make full use of all the subsidies given, including those for diesel and petrol, to boost their economy and not sell them to others. — Bernama