1. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s upcoming National Day address is expected to outline his vision to strengthen the foundations of unity in diversity and lead Malaysia towards greater progress and prosperity.
2. While I express my support for the vision, I also urge PMX to present Malaysians with three “National Day gifts”, namely increasing the monthly Budi MADANI petrol subsidy quota to 300 litres, raising the diesel subsidy allocation in East Malaysia to better reflect actual needs, and increasing the e-Invoice implementation threshold to businesses with an annual turnover of RM5 million and above.
3. National stability and unity can only be built upon a foundation where Malaysians are able to live and work with dignity. The spirit of Malaysia MADANI must not only be reflected in broad national aspirations, but must also be translated into concrete policies that address the everyday concerns of ordinary Malaysians.
4. Given that the foundation of patriotism and unity lies in the basic well-being of the people, reforms carried out by the government must be both bold and compassionate. Hence, the government must not allow young people who are just starting out in life, grassroots workers and micro-enterprises to be overwhelmed by the rising cost of living during the transition process.
5. While fiscal consolidation and structural reforms are important, I call upon the government to demonstrate greater flexibility and sensitivity towards the difficulties faced by the people, and to prioritise the concerns of communities on the ground.
6. DAPSY supports the government’s long-term objective of strengthening fiscal resilience and ensuring that public resources are better targeted. However, the pace and implementation of specific policies must take into account the public’s ability to withstand the additional costs.
7. Given that the Budi MADANI petrol subsidy mechanism has been in place for almost a year, the government is urged to increase the monthly subsidy quota to 300 litres.
8. This is because the connectivity and coverage of public transport remain inadequate in many parts of the country. Most ordinary citizens and workers continue to rely heavily on private vehicles and motorcycles for daily commuting, transporting family members and managing their livelihoods. At present, fuel remains an essential part of daily life for ordinary Malaysians, and this reliance cannot be reduced overnight.
9. Until the public transport system is able to comprehensively replace private transportation, there is a clear disconnect between a low petrol subsidy quota and the actual mobility needs of Malaysians. If the quota does not adequately cover actual travel requirements, the daily commuting expenses of ordinary workers and families will be affected, while logistics costs will also increase and contribute to a wider chain of cost-of-living and inflationary pressures.
10. On diesel subsidies, the government should conduct a comprehensive review of the existing mechanism, with particular attention to the unique geographical and socioeconomic needs of East Malaysia, namely Sabah and Sarawak.
11. East Malaysia’s vast geographical area and relatively limited inland infrastructure mean that four-wheel-drive diesel vehicles, diesel generators, small-scale agricultural equipment and river transport are essential tools for the livelihoods of many local communities.
12. As such, the demands of East Malaysians are not about seeking special privileges, but reflect genuine geographical and infrastructure disparities. While the government must continue to combat fuel smuggling, it should not impose a one-size-fits-all approach based on standards in Peninsular Malaysia. Instead, the government should adopt a more flexible and region-specific approach by increasing the subsidy quotas where necessary and simplifying the application process under the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) to safeguard the livelihoods of inland communities and smallholders.
13. Furthermore, the government is also urged to raise the implementation threshold for the e-Invoice system to businesses with annual turnover of RM5 million and above, while reviewing its implementation timeline and coverage.
14. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to face significant challenges, including high digitalisation costs, complicated operational processes and inadequate technical support. At a time when Malaysia’s economic recovery is gaining strength, a rushed implementation could place additional operational burdens on SMEs.
15. Digital transformation must be inclusive and implemented in gradual stages. Without sufficient transition time and institutional support, a rushed implementation could trigger a wave of business closures among SMEs. Hence, the government should first raise the threshold to businesses with annual turnover of RM5 million to provide more SMEs and micro-enterprises with sufficient breathing room. There is no need to rush the process.
16. All relevant ministries are urged to strengthen inter-ministerial coordination and policy communication. While maintaining fiscal discipline, the government must make “alleviating the people’s burden” a central priority in policymaking, and adopt a more inclusive and flexible approach to governance in order to strengthen the foundations of national unity and prosperity.