National Recovery Council calls for targeted subsidy system

The National Recovery Council (MPN) today urged the government to discuss and review the subsidies given so far to ensure that only those who are truly deserving can benefit from them. 

MPN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said nearly 50% of the various subsidies provided by the government were also enjoyed by those in the high-income group. 

Speaking at a press conference in Putrajaya after chairing an MPN meeting, he said urgent measures should be taken to ensure that those in the B40 or lower income group also benefit from the subsidies. 

"We will also be able to reduce the impact on inflation," he said. "That is one of the things we discussed earlier." 

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob previously said in Parliament that the government was forming a targeted subsidy mechanism to ensure that no one in need was overlooked. 
 
However, he said the method of implementation was still under review to ensure that the targets are achieved. 

On the situation at hospitals which have been experiencing high utilisation of beds due to the increase in Covid-19 and other emergency cases, Muhyiddin said health ministry representatives had told the MPN that the situation remained under control.

Acknowledging the increase in infections, he nevertheless said that this did not interfere with efforts to keep the pandemic at bay.

"Their experience of more than two years in dealing with Covid-19 has taught them a lot, and we hope that history will no longer repeat itself," he said.