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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia
In a decisive move to address soaring living expenses, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim unveiled a sweeping relief package that includes cash handouts, petrol price cuts, and toll rate freezes. The announcement comes just days before a mass protest is set to challenge his leadership.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Anwar confirmed that every adult Malaysian citizen will receive a 100 ringgit (approximately $24) cash voucher, redeemable at over 4,000 participating stores between August 31 and December 31. The initiative is expected to benefit 22 million people across the country.
Additionally, the government will reduce the price of subsidised petrol from 2.05 ringgit to 1.99 ringgit per litre and suspend planned toll hikes across 10 major highways. Anwar also declared a one-time public holiday on September 15 in conjunction with Malaysia Day.
“These measures reflect our commitment to easing the burden on everyday Malaysians,” Anwar said during his national address, q economics professor at Sunway University, noted the immediate benefits for struggling families, while Lavanya Venkateswaran, a senior economist at OCBC, described the measures as part of a broader government strategy to bolster economic growth.
“With growth expected to slow from 4.4% in the first half to 3.5% in the second, these fiscal steps—along with the central bank’s recent rate cut—highlight the government’s proactive stance,” Venkateswaran said.
She added that although the handouts may only slightly boost household spending, the overall cost to the national budget is minimal—roughly 0.1% of GDP.
However, the announcement has not silenced public frustration. A massive protest is scheduled for Saturday in Kuala Lumpur, where up to 15,000 people are expected to rally against what they view as Anwar’s failure to deliver promised reforms and control inflation. The demonstration is being led by the opposition Perikatan Nasional coalition.
As pressure mounts, all eyes are on whether Anwar’s financial lifeline will calm unrest—or fuel further political turmoil.
