SUBSIDY IS STILL THERE. SO WHY ARE SOME STILL PLAYING POLITICS?
Subsidy Is Still There. So Why Are Some Still Playing Politics?
The rakyat deserves truth, not theatre.
Let us stop the drama for one minute and look at the facts.
The subsidy story in Malaysia is being twisted as though the government has abandoned the people, abandoned industry, and pushed the whole country into the fire. That is the political card game being played. Scream first. Spin the narrative. Attack the Prime Minister. Create fear. Hope the rakyat does not read the details.
But the truth is more uncomfortable for the critics: the subsidy system has not disappeared. It has been restructured, redirected, and targeted toward sectors that keep the country moving. Public transport is still protected. Fishermen are still protected. Selected logistics and goods transport sectors are still protected. Small farmers and commodity smallholders still receive monthly support. Even the public continues to enjoy subsidised RON95.
This is why the debate must be corrected.
The real issue is not that all subsidy is gone. The real issue is whether people understand who is still being protected, whether the benefit is being passed down properly, and whether some players in the chain are abusing the situation to make more money while blaming policy.
So before the opposition plays hero, let them answer one simple question.
If the industries that carry food, move workers, run school buses, support agriculture, and keep supply chains alive are still being protected, why are some behaving as though the whole system has collapsed?
Because politics loves noise.
And because some businesses also know how to hide behind that noise.
When fuel policy changes, the familiar chorus comes out immediately. Cost naik. We have no choice. Everything must go up. But if fishermen still get subsidised diesel, land public transport remains subsidised, goods transport remains subsidised, and eligible farmers and smallholders continue receiving support, then the rakyat has every right to ask whether all price increases are truly justified or whether some are simply taking opportunity.
That is the heart of this issue.
Not blind praise. Not blind criticism.
A fair question.
Industry Chart: Who Is Still Protected And Why It Matters
| Sector / Group | Type of Support | Current Support | Why It Matters To Rakyat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public using RON95 | Subsidised petrol price | RON95 maintained at RM1.99/litre | Protects household transport and commuting costs |
| Public in Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan using diesel | Subsidised diesel price | Diesel maintained at RM2.15/litre | Cushions consumers in East Malaysia |
| Land public transport | Subsidised diesel | RM1.88/litre under SKDS | Helps keep bus and essential transport costs under control |
| Selected logistics / goods transport | Subsidised diesel fleet cards | RM2.15/litre under SKDS | Helps stabilise goods delivery and reduces inflation pressure on daily items |
| Fishermen | Subsidised diesel | RM1.65/litre | Supports fish supply and food security |
| Eligible diesel vehicle owners | Cash assistance | RM300/month interim support | Offsets higher diesel expenditure for approved users |
| Small farmers & commodity smallholders | Cash assistance | RM200/month under BUDI Agri-Komoditi | Helps protect small producers’ incomes and rural supply chains |
Now look at that table properly.
This is not abandonment.
This is targeted shielding.
So when people scream that subsidy is gone, they are either not reading, deliberately misleading, or hoping others remain ignorant.
And yes, this is where abuse and manipulation enter.
If transport sectors are still protected, but fares creep up without clear justification, somebody must answer. If fishermen are still protected, but seafood prices keep jumping beyond reason, somebody must answer. If logistics players are still protected, but every goods movement suddenly becomes an excuse to mark up prices, somebody must answer. The subsidy cannot become private margin expansion while the public is told to keep quiet and accept it.
Just recently someone said they paid more for bus services because the cost suddenly rose. That is exactly where the authorities must step in and check. If buses are still enjoying subsidised diesel, why are passengers paying more overnight? Is it justified, or is someone quietly using the subsidy issue as an excuse to increase margins?
This is why stronger oversight matters. This is why the authorities cannot just announce policy and walk away. This is where Malaysia needs firm transport enforcement again. Bring back the strength and seriousness of SPAD or whatever mechanism can truly monitor public transport pricing, complaints, routes, service standards, and abuse.
Policy without enforcement is just paperwork.
The Real Leakage Is Not Just Fuel
It is integrity.
Subsidy meant to stabilise prices becomes a tool to protect profits. Support meant for the system becomes margin expansion. Policy meant to help rakyat becomes material for manipulation.
Everybody wants to talk. Too few want to audit. Too few want to monitor. Too few want to admit that some of the pain rakyat feels may come not only from policy change, but also from opportunism.
To The Opposition
Stop playing card games.
Stop attacking everything just because it carries PMX’s signature.
If you think the structure is weak, come with a stronger structure. If you think the delivery is weak, come with a better monitoring framework. If you think the rakyat is still not fully protected, suggest how to tighten enforcement, improve pass-through pricing, and punish misuse harder.
That is what responsible opposition looks like.
Not tin kosong politics. Not shouting from the roadside. Not pretending every reform is evil just because you do not like the man leading it.
Bottom Line
The truth is there.
PMX is trying to restructure without collapsing the system. He is trying to protect strategic sectors while reducing leakages. He is trying to keep the public cushioned while preventing billions from disappearing through smuggling and misuse.
That does not mean the system is perfect. It does not mean the pain is not real. It does not mean businesses are innocent. It does not mean the rakyat should stop asking hard questions.
It means the debate must be honest.
The subsidy system is still helping. The industries are still being protected. The question now is simple: who is passing the benefit on honestly, and who is using politics, ignorance, or opportunity to squeeze more out of the rakyat?
— Amarjeet Singh @ AJ
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