Subsidy cuts a matter of time: Fomca

Posted on 29 October 2013 - 10:25pm

Last updated on 30 October 2013 - 08:30am

PETALING JAYA (Oct 29, 2013): Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) president Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadeson said it is just a matter of time before subsidies are scrapped.

With respect to the removal of sugar subsidy, he said it will cause a small, unavoidable chain reaction and cause prices of sweets, baked goods and other items to rise slightly.

He said subsidies should be something that lessen the burden of the needy and provide a safety net for the poor, instead of being misused as they have been.

"Instead of a subsidy of RM28 billion just on petroleum, why not use that fund to improve public transport?" he said at a press conference today.

As for the goods and services tax (GST), he said it is on the right track and is a "fairer" ground to generate revenue for the country.