27/09/2025

SATURDAY | SEPT 27, 2025

2

credited ‘Budi95 to ensure M’sians benefit from fuel subsidy’ o System capable of processing 30,000 petrol transactions per minute: PM

MACC rebuts claims of accounts linked to Anwar PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) has shot down resurfaced claims that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim holds 20 foreign bank accounts, including one in Israel, adding that investigations conducted more than two decades ago found no evidence of wrongdoing. In a statement yesterday, the commission said it is aware of videos circulating on TikTok that revived the allegations, which were raised in Parliament in 2013. “The probe was conducted in 1999 by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), the MACC’s predecessor, and concluded there was no evidence or testimony connecting Anwar to any criminal wrongdoing.” It added that the findings were reinforced in a 2009 statutory declaration by former ACA investigations director Datuk Abdul Razak Idris. MACC also said WikiLeaks denied ever publishing any list of bank accounts belonging to Anwar, contrary to claims made in Parliament. The denial was reported by Harian Metro on Oct 5, 2018, under the headline “Dah 5 tahun baru Wikileak nafi”. The commission reminded the public not to circulate unfounded allegations that could “mislead society or tarnish reputations”, adding that that the spread of false information risked “causing confusion and disrupting public order”. “MACC remains committed to carrying out investigations independently, transparently and with integrity, in line with national laws.” The controversy first arose in July 2013 when former Simpang Renggam MP Liang Teck Meng alleged in the Dewan Rakyat that Anwar held US$66 million (RM209 million) in banks in the United States, Israel and China, along with S$49 million (RM123 million) in Singapore. Anwar dismissed the claims as baseless, saying the alleged 20 accounts, supposedly with about RM332 million, were fabricated. He demanded a withdrawal from Liang and when met outside Parliament, said he had “no choice” but to take legal action against several newspapers that reported the allegations on their front pages without verification or giving him the right to reply. – By Qiranna Nabilla Mohd Rashidi Detention centres to have CCTV systems KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that high-tech closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems would be installed at all Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detention centres and National Anti-Drug Agency lockups nationwide. He said the move, approved at the Special Cabinet Committee on National Governance meeting he chaired on Thursday, is part of efforts to strengthen enforcement agencies and safeguard detainee security. “This initiative is a strategic step under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy to tackle current challenges, enhance security and improve monitoring at detention facilities.” Anwar also raised concern over repeated incursions by foreign fishing boats into Malaysian waters, adding that the violations threaten maritime sovereignty, deplete marine resources and hurt local fishermen and the economy. He also said the government would step up strategic cooperation with neighbouring countries to address the issue, alongside policy and legal reforms to ensure public services remain responsive to security needs while upholding efficiency, transparency and good governance. – Bernama

2013, prices there have since climbed to between RM2.60 and RM2.90, while rates in Qatar remain higher than Malaysia’s. “This is possible here because we began with good governance. I thank the Finance Ministry team and my colleagues for fulfilling their responsibilities.” He said initial proposals projected estimated savings of up to RM10 billion through subsidy rationalisation, but the final decision balanced fiscal discipline with the needs of the people and economic stability. “As long as subsidy spending could be reduced, it is reasonable. That is why the priority is managing the government, public finances and the nation, with support from the Finance Ministry, Inland Revenue Board, Customs Department and enforcement agencies to curb leakages.” Acknowledging instances of corruption and abuse in some ministries and agencies, Anwar said such cases do not reflect the majority of civil servants. “It is not fair to say all civil servants are mediocre or corrupt. Most are dedicated and have delivered results. Our economic growth and investments are the product of the entire government machinery.” He added that the subsidy rationalisation exercise, along with targeted cash aid, was made possible through the joint efforts of enforcement agencies. “We must recognise that this success is due to the sacrifices of civil servants at all levels, working together with the private sector and professionals.”

He financial management, tighter governance and reduced leakage across government agencies for enabling the shift, citing stricter tender processes, anti-corruption measures and enhanced tax collection. “The reform is aimed at curbing abuse and smuggling while ensuring Malaysians continue to receive the assistance they need. Not every country can sustain subsidy programmes designed to ease the people’s burden,” he said, adding that savings from curbed leakages would be redirected to citizen-focused initiatives. He also gave assurances that fishermen, smallholders and boat owners who rely on RON95 petrol would not be left out of the subsidy scheme. “We are aware of cases, particularly in Sabah, Sarawak and Kelantan, in which small-scale fishermen or boat owners depend on RON95 despite not having a licence registered in their names. “If they genuinely use RON95 for their boats, they may submit an appeal. I assure you the government will help those who are eligible. This does not involve large numbers, so we can consider it.” Anwar said good governance and sound economic policies have enabled Malaysia to reduce the price of RON95 petrol to RM1.99 per litre, easing household expenses compared with other countries, including oil producers. He added that while Saudi Arabia once offered petrol as low as 50 sen per litre in improved

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians would enjoy faster, cheaper and more targeted fuel subsidies under the new Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) programme, which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said could process 30,000 petrol transactions a minute. Anwar, who is also finance minister, said this is 10 times faster than the system used for the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah initiative, which managed only 3,000 transactions a minute. He said the programme delivers on the government’s Budget 2025 pledge to extend targeted subsidies, from electricity and diesel to petrol, cutting waste while ensuring Malaysians continue to benefit from lower fuel prices. “This continues our earlier efforts on electricity and diesel, now expanded to petrol. More importantly, it fulfils our promise of lowering RON95 prices exclusively for Malaysians,” he said at the Finance Ministry monthly assembly yesterday. Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com He said the problems plaguing these groups cannot be addressed by one agency alone, but rather require an integrated approach that encompasses various parties. “The solution to farmers’ problems, for example, does not only lie with the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), but it could involve the Agriculture Department, Farmers’ Organisation Authority and any other bodies or agencies that could coordinate. “What Fama and the ministry are doing is important because when prices or agricultural produce are guaranteed, we could insist on increasing production.” Anwar was speaking at the 40th National Farmers Market anniversary and the launch of the Putrajaya Farmers’ Market at Precinct 4 yesterday. He also called on the ministry and its agencies to always think outside the box and explore innovative methods to boost agricultural production and marketing. Citing examples, the prime minister pointed to the onion cultivation initiative aimed at meeting local demand and the growing success of durian exports, which now generate billions of ringgit in revenue. “That is why I say, always explore new methods. Today, we are focusing specifically on marketing. If we are serious about helping farmers and small-scale fishermen, the first step is to increase their output and ensure fair prices. This is where Fama plays a critical role, to take whatever steps necessary.” He also encouraged Malaysians to make use of available land at their homes for small

Call for cooperation to address issues of farmers, fishermen PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants cooperation between agencies under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to be strengthened to ensure that problems faced by farmers and fishermen are addressed and resolved effectively.

Anwar visiting a stall at the seafood section during his walkabout at the Putrajaya Farmers Market yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

offered by farmers were always sold out because the prices were cheaper as the transport costs were borne by Fama, the sale location was provided by the Agriculture Ministry and the buyers were staff at Wisma Tani in Kuala Lumpur. Anwar said after that, farmers’ markets began to expand to other locations and to date, they have been established in 229 locations nationwide with the participation of 5,618 entrepreneurs. “ Alhamdulillah for that beginning. I want to prove that it could be done, not just in theory. When we worked on it ourselves and saw (that) everyone, from the farmers and Fama officers to the buyers at Wisma Tani were happy, it was worth it.” – Bernama

scale farming as a way to reduce household expenses and reliance on commercial produce. He said the government is ready to support these efforts through the provision of seeds, technical guidance and training. “But the initiative must start with the people,” he said, adding that during the Covid 19 pandemic, he personally grew pineapples, bananas, papayas and vegetables at his residences in Segambut and Sungai Long. He also said the concept of farmers’ markets was created when he was the agriculture minister, following the problems faced by farmers at the time who had to deal with middlemen, resulting in the revenue not being worth their efforts. He said in those days, agricultural products