KUALA LUMPUR - Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has urged the government to stop making announcements about new implementations without providing clear details, particularly in the case of the T15 income group issue.
The former youth and sports minister said this in response to criticism made by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, after raising concerns about certain elements of the 2025 Budget presented by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last Friday.
"Rafizi criticised me yesterday, saying I was wrong because the government has not yet defined who the T15 are. This is the problem when we announce first and think later. This is an issue because the public has already heard the Prime Minister’s speech.
"The people have already heard what they will lose (subsidies) – RM500 per month on petrol, the loss of education subsidies, healthcare subsidies. They are now afraid to go to clinics due to the very high costs.
"The announcement has been made, but now, when pressured, they say, "It's okay, we'll think about it first." Meanwhile, the people are already anxious.
"That’s why in Parliament, we need to argue to defend the people on this matter," he said during the 2025 Budget debate session at the Dewan Rakyat, today.
Rafizi, who is also Pandan MP, responded to Syed Saddiq's criticism on Tuesday through a media post regarding the announcement to withdraw the RON95 petrol subsidy for the top 15 per cent income group (T15).
He explained that the budget proposal was a statement of intent and the government’s plans for the future; thus, the figures presented were only projections and estimates.
Syed Saddiq also criticised the government's approach in using surprise tactics on subsidy-related issues, similar to what was previously done with the targeted diesel subsidies.
"Let’s not use tactics that shock the public, or in the end, the ones shocked will be you (the government), if the public punishes you in the future," he added.