Malaysians were outraged after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced plans to cut petrol subsidies for the wealthy and non-citizens by mid-2025. Anwar emphasized the need for the affluent to contribute their fair share and ensure subsidies reach those in genuine need.
This move is part of the government’s effort to curb excessive spending and prioritize assistance for the most vulnerable. However, critics argue that the details of the plan are vague and lack clarity.
In his recent budget speech, Anwar revealed that the top 15% income earners, known as T15, would no longer qualify for petrol subsidies. This measure aims to save 8 billion ringgit while maintaining a 12 billion ringgit subsidy for most drivers.
Households with a combined monthly income exceeding 13,295 ringgit will fall under the T15 category, as per Malaysia’s statistics department in 2022.