23/03/2026

MONDAY | MAR 23, 2026

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PM: Fuel subsidy bill surges to RM3.2b in less than a week

Efforts to tackle non-revenue water problem KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of non revenue water (NRW), which remains high in several states due to pipe leaks, water theft and ageing infrastructure, significantly impacts the efficiency of the country’s water supply system. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said continuous efforts are being intensified to upgrade the system, strengthen monitoring and reduce NRW rates to ensure that every drop of water reaches the people. Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation minister, said the government is committed to strengthening policies and implementation in the water sector through a more sustainable and integrated approach. “This includes investment in smart technology, holistic water resource management and inter-agency cooperation to ensure that the country’s water security is always guaranteed.” He said this in a post on his Facebook page in conjunction with World Water Day (WWD) celebrations yesterday. Fadillah said Malaysia is blessed with abundant water resources, but the challenges of management and sustainability are becoming increasingly complex in line with climate change and rapid development. “At the same time, we cannot take lightly the threat of water source pollution. Irresponsible activities, waste disposal and land use changes are putting pressure on our rivers and dams.” He said the Water Sector Transformation Roadmap 2040 also serves as Malaysia’s long-term plan to improve the country’s water management, ensure sufficient clean water supply and make the water sector more modern and sustainable. Fadillah said the government’s efforts alone are, however, not sufficient without the support of the people. He added that water-saving practices need to be made a daily culture. “Use water wisely, fix leaks at home and avoid wastage. Every small action we take has a big impact on the future of the country’s water supply.” The international WWD theme this year is “Water and Gender Equality”, which emphasises justice, equality and the role of all parties regardless of gender in managing water resources. Meanwhile, the national-level WWD theme is “Water Belongs to Everyone”, which reminds the people that every individual has the right to clean, safe and sufficient water for a prosperous life. – Bernama

situation could have a ripple effect on inbound tourism, businesses and the overall stability of the tourism ecosystem.” Tiong said the government would adopt a “stabilise and upgrade” approach, striking a balance between immediate support and longer-term structural improvements, including vehicle upgrades, stronger regulatory oversight and enhanced service standards. He stressed that any assistance would be carefully structured to strengthen the sector’s resilience and competitiveness, rather than serve as a short-term fix. “The government’s objective is not merely to mitigate the immediate impact but also to build a more resilient and competitive tourism transport system.” Tiong also urged industry players to remain calm and continue engaging constructively with the government as Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026. He added that the government would continue to balance economic pressures with the need to protect both consumers and industries amid the ongoing volatility in global oil markets.

o ‘Sharp increase underscores govt commitment to safeguarding people’s welfare in an increasingly uncertain global environment’

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill has surged to RM3.2 billion in less than a week as global oil prices have been spiking amid escalating tensions in West Asia, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In a post on his Facebook page yesterday, he said the sharp increase in subsidy underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the people in an increasingly uncertain global environment. “The public and the majority of traders do not need to pay full market prices as these subsidies are channelled through Budi Madani RON95 and Budi Diesel.” Anwar said the rise in global oil prices, triggered by attacks by the Israeli regime and the United States (US) on Iran, has led to questions on why Malaysia, despite being an oil producing nation, is also affected. Ű BY HASHINI KAVISHTRI KANNAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

expenses for transport providers. He added that in response, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has been directed to immediately engage with the Finance Ministry to address the impact of escalating diesel costs on the tourism transport sector. In a post on his Facebook page on Saturday, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the government’s move comes in response to feedback from industry players grappling with mounting cost pressures, with targeted and temporary measures among the options being considered to ease short-term strain linked to global developments. He warned that sustained increases in diesel prices could place significant pressure on the tourism transport sector, a key pillar of Malaysia’s tourism ecosystem, with wider implications for inbound tourism, businesses and overall industry stability. “If not properly addressed, this

He said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, has been disrupted by the conflict, tightening global supply and pushing prices higher. “Malaysia is affected as nearly 50% of our oil supply passes through the strait,” he said, adding that although the country produces oil, it imports more than it exports. On Feb 28, the US and Israel launched attacks on targets in Iran, including Tehran, resulting in damage and civilian casualties. He said Iran responded with retaliatory strikes on Israeli territory and US assets in West Asia, and moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, further straining global oil flows. Anwar said in the face of global volatility, the Madani government remains focused on protecting the well-being of the people. He said pressure from higher fuel costs is already being felt on the ground, with the tourism industry among the most exposed as rising diesel prices push up operating

UPHOLDING CULTURE ... People clad in traditional Orang Ulu Sarawak attire attending a Ramah Mesra Rakyat event organised by the Petra Jaya Penghulu and Community Leaders Association in Kuching yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Improve oversight, boost transparency to stem graft, says social activist PETALING JAYA: As the government steps up efforts to curb corruption, abuse of power and leakages of public funds, calls are mounting for systemic reforms to close gaps in oversight and strengthen transparency. power to approve permits or allocate funds without clear public scrutiny, the potential for corruption significantly increases.” Lee said many accounted for. “The public can view tender winners, track progress and monitor current spending, offering an immediate, transparent audit trail.” Lee said such transparency would serve as a strong deterrent to misconduct. He also suggested the use of virtual reality simulations to strengthen ethics training among civil servants by placing them in realistic, ethically challenging scenarios.

potential whistleblowers are deterred by a perceived lack of protection, making them reluctant to report wrongdoing. He said to address these concerns, the government should look towards high-tech and transparent systems to reduce human discretion and strengthen accountability. He proposed an artificial intelligence (AI) system that allows the public to monitor every stage of a project’s financial process, ensuring that every allocated ringgit is

He added that lengthy and complicated processes also fuel delays which in turn create demand for “grease payments” – unofficial fees to expedite services. “In some cases, small tokens of appreciation or favours become so common that they are viewed as a standard part of doing business, blurring ethical lines.”

Lee said the government should improve incentives for whistleblowers to encourage reporting of corruption. “These can create a more robust, transparent and efficient system, tackling corruption head-on and delivering results at an unprecedented pace.” – By Hashini Kavishtri Kannan

Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the current system – often bogged down by complex procedures and weak oversight – continues to create opportunities for corruption. “When a single official holds the

He added that AI could also analyse large volumes of contracts to detect suspicious trends such as repeated bidding patterns among the same companies or unusual price increases for common goods.