KUALA LUMPUR – The national targeted subsidy programme is expected to be fully implemented next year, said Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.
He said the Centralised Database Hub, Padu, is expected to undergo a trial period in November before it is open in January for the public to verify their socio-economic information.
“After the information gathering process, the government will decide when to start the targeted subsidy programme. In my opinion, the programme will start in 2024,” Rafizi said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby here today.
“The government will decide on the mechanism of distribution at the right time. Our priority right now is to ensure the socio-economic information of every household is complete in Padu.”
On May 15, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim agreed to establish Padu to gather the socio-economic data of every household in the country to streamline the implementation of the targeted subsidy programme.
Today, Anwar reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the delivery mechanism for targeted subsidies, including those related to electricity, diesel, petrol and other social assistance.
He said this during the tabling of the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat as part of the efforts to improve the nation’s fiscal sustainability.
“The government carries the responsibility of defending citizens, especially those who are less privileged. As such, the targeted subsidy mechanism aims to ensure that such groups secure benefits from the channelled aid.
“The distribution of targeted subsidies will be coordinated through Padu based on household data to ensure the efficiency and overwatch of government aid. Savings from targeted subsidies can then be redistributed to development projects and programmes for the benefit of the people.” – September 11, 2023