Anwar Highlights Gaza Aid, RM6bn Petrol Subsidies
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- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians to understand the Middle East conflict’s reality and its global economic impact, speaking after meeting Felda settlers at a carnival in Felda Semenchu.
- Anwar rebuked critics who questioned Malaysia’s humanitarian assistance to Gaza, saying the country must show concern despite its own economic challenges.
- Malaysia sent 30 large containers to Egypt, intended to be channeled to Gaza, according to the Prime Minister’s statement.
- Anwar highlighted that Malaysia’s RON95 petrol price is among the world’s cheapest, contrasting with a neighboring country that shut down 400 stations and another that rationed fuel.
- The Malaysian government spends RM6 billion (S$1.9 billion) each month on petrol subsidies, while acknowledging rising cost‑of‑living concerns.
Why it matters: Malaysian consumers benefit from the RM6 billion monthly petrol subsidy that keeps RON95 among the world’s cheapest, while the country’s humanitarian aid to Gaza underscores its foreign‑policy commitment despite domestic cost‑of‑living pressures. At the same time, critics of the aid face political pushback, highlighting tensions between domestic economic concerns and international solidarity.
