THUMBS DOWN FOR ANWAR'S TARGETED SUBSIDIES PLAN - 'IT'S LIKE SHOOTING ONESELF IN THE FOOT' - WITH HIGH KNOCK-ON EFFECT GROUPS LEFT OUT
Written by Mike Chong
KUALA LUMPUR (politicsnowmy) - MCA Youth urges the government, in particular the Ministry of Finance, to seriously listen to the voices of the people, especially feedback from the tourism and travel industry. The government needs to reassess the implementation of the targeted diesel subsidy rationalisation to avoid inflicting a negative impact on the country's economic development.
According to the guidelines by the Ministry of Finance, the targeted diesel subsidy aid programme does not include tour buses and tourist vans. This omission will inevitably affect Malaysia's tourism and travel industry severely.
The tourism and travel industry has always been one of the key pillars of Malaysia's economy. If the government completely scraps the diesel subsidy for tourist buses and vans, travel costs will inevitably rise, reducing the competitiveness of our country's tourism and travel industry. This not only jeopardises the livelihood of tourism operators but also holds adverse effects on the overall economic expansion of the country.
Presently, with the continuous depreciation of the Malaysian Ringgit, this is the best time to attract international tourists and fully develop the tourism and travel industry. The government itself has repeatedly emphasised revitalising the national economy through tourism. However, the government's move to axe the diesel subsidy for tourist buses and vans has led to a hike in domestic travel costs. This weakens Malaysia's attractiveness as a tourist destination, which ultimately regresses the government's efforts to attract tourists. It's like shooting oneself in the foot.
On one hand, we need to support the development of the tourism and travel industry. However, on the other hand, by policy, we are diluting the competitiveness of the domestic tourism and travel industry, creating obstacles to its progress. This is the latest example of the Malaysia Madani unity government's lack of foresight, direction and coordination in governing.
VEGETABLE FARMERS AFFECTED TOO
Additionally, according to reports, besides tourism industry players, 80% of vegetable farmers in Cameron Highlands cannot enjoy the subsidy due to exceeding sales limits. This exclusion will result with a jump in production costs for vegetable farmers, which ultimately, will be passed on to consumers, causing vegetable prices to ascend. This will inevitably further burden consumers, increasing their cost of living.
We urge the government to reconsider the targeted diesel subsidy rationalisation. Include industries closely related to national economic development and people's livelihoods within the scope of subsidies, while rationalising subsidies, so as not to hinder economic growth nor impose greater burdens on people.
[Mike Chong is the MCA Youth National Deputy Chairman]
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