03/04/2026

FRIDAY | APR 3, 2026

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‘Cushioning fuel costs with subsidies not sustainable’

beginning in how we teach law and in how we practice it. Ultimately, we are not just training lawyers to argue well, we are essentially shaping individuals entrusted to uphold and administer justice.” Wan Ahmad Farid emphasised that legal education must be continuous and not end at graduation, calling for a collective responsibility among the Bench, the Bar, academia and professional bodies, including the Bar Council, to nurture both competence and character in lawyers. Meanwhile, Supreme Court of India judge Prashant Kumar Mishra said the decade ahead calls for lawyers who are “ethically bilingual”, possessing a deep understanding of indigenous practices and community values, with a strong command of the rapidly evolving digital landscape of global commerce. He added that future lawyers must move beyond being mere practitioners of statutes and instead develop strong technological capabilities to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. He also said proficiency in AI and emerging digital frameworks should not be viewed solely as tools for efficiency, but as a “great equaliser” that enables fairer participation in the global legal arena. “Tech proficiency grants us a seat at the international table in which the rules of the digital road are being written. When we lead in legal technology, we no longer have to respond to foreign standards. “We could contribute our own scholarly perspective to the creation of global AI ethics and cross-border regulatory frameworks.” – Bernama Govt urged to fast-track political Act KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to fast-track the gazetting and implementation of the Political Financing Act to strengthen integrity and tackle increasingly complex corruption. Malaysian Corruption Watch president Jais Abdul Karim said the move is crucial because corruption is no longer straightforward and has become harder to detect with advances in technology and the digital world. “Corruption has become increasingly complex. I would liken it to stage-four cancer, which is considered hopeless in medicine, yet I still hope the issue could be tackled, including through the implementation of the act,” he said during Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara on Wednesday. Also on the programme was Bentong MP and Special Committee on Corruption member Young Syefura Othman. Jais said political financing laws should be expedited, citing positive results from other countries. He added that the act should also be implemented urgently, as it is part of the government’s manifesto, urging MPs to support the move in the interests of the public and the country. – Bernama

o Prolonging current measures could affect national debt, says economist

KUALA LUMPUR: Chief Justice Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh expressed concern over the growing tendency, particularly among young lawyers, to rely heavily on technology, saying it may undermine the discipline of careful thinking, clear articulation and meaningful engagement. He said the skills remain fundamental to advocacy, judgment and the administration of justice, and should not be diminished by excessive dependence on digital tools. While acknowledging the role of technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital assistants in improving efficiency, he emphasised that such tools should complement, not replace, human capability. “There is no doubt that technology has made us, as lawyers, use less of our mental faculty. Unfortunately, it (could be) making our brains lazy. “Technology makes things faster, but I dare say it makes us less human. To be human is to learn, to struggle and to remember. “When we outsource our thinking to a chip, we are not just saving time; we are losing a part of ourselves,” he said in his special address at the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) Conference yesterday. He emphasised that while technology should be embraced, it must remain an enabler rather than a substitute, with judicial discretion, fairness and independence continuing to form the core of the legal system. “This is why ethical reasoning must be embedded from the very fleet cards and targeted subsidies provided by the government. “Most industries that use diesel are able to manage their operating costs because of the targeted subsidies. “For essential goods, they are covered under controlled items, so there should not be an issue. Prices of chicken, eggs, rice and cooking oil should not increase because of this. However, what may go up is the cost of eating at restaurants.” On April 1, the Finance Ministry said from yesterday to April 8, unsubsidised diesel in Peninsular Malaysia rose 50 sen to RM6.02 a litre from RM5.52, while RON97 fell 20 sen to RM4.95 from RM5.15 and unsubsidised RON95 remained at RM3.87. The ministry said the adjustment came as Brent crude climbed more than 40% to above US$100 a barrel, with refined petrol and diesel prices also rising sharply in the global market. However, targeted subsidised rates remain unchanged, including RM1.99 a litre for RON95 under Budi 95.

prepared for a more serious situation.” Meanwhile, PBS Masters and Doctorate course director Prof Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said the public should not be overly alarmed, although authorities must remain vigilant against profiteering following the diesel increase. “What needs attention is the possibility of traders taking advantage of the situation. “If prices are raised excessively, reports should be lodged because there are laws against price gouging and profiteering. “Authorities need to ensure that traders do not exploit the situation,” he told theSun . He added that many diesel dependent industries are cushioned by targeted subsidies and fleet card facilities, which should help contain the pass-through effect on operating costs. He also said the existing support structure should help limit broader inflationary spillover, even as some consumer-facing sectors may still face upward cost pressure. “Many industries have access to

in unsubsidised diesel prices could still place pressure on transport related costs, although the broader inflation impact may be more limited as some sectors continue receiving targeted support such as fleet card facilities. She said a larger concern is the longer-term fiscal effect if the government keeps absorbing rising fuel costs while maintaining existing subsidised rates. “If the government continues increasing subsidies to keep prices unchanged, the debt burden would grow, and that debt would eventually have to be borne by future generations. “If subsidies keep increasing, debt would also keep rising, and in my view that is not fair because it would eventually be paid by the next generation.” She added that Malaysia had not yet reached a more severe situation seen in some countries in which fuel supplies are disrupted due to high prices. “In my view, conditions may worsen because the war is escalating, not de-escalating. So we must be

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia cannot continue cushioning rising fuel costs through ever-expanding subsidies without risking a heavier debt burden in the years ahead, economists said. Putra Business School (PBS) economist Assoc Prof Ida Md Yasin opined the government should not continue dealing with rising fuel prices by simply adding more subsidies. “We cannot continue indefinitely dealing with rising fuel prices by adding subsidies, because in the end those subsidies will have to be financed through debt,” she told theSun when commenting on the latest diesel price adjustment. She added that the latest increase

‘Technological prowess must complement core legal skills’

Ahmad Zahid delivering his address at the assembly yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Country in crisis preparedness mode: DPM PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime

developments. “Ask them (the Opposition) to go to the Strait of Hormuz now, or try going to a West Asian country, (and let) them see for themselves. “We are actually lucky, so don’t keep (framing a) global problem as a fault by the government. “This is the reality we have to accept.“ Ahmad Zahid asked all parties not to point fingers and to come together to find a solution. – Bernama

of all parties to deal with it together. “We should not feel complacent and point fingers at the government, especially the prime minister. The fact is, it is a global crisis that we must all face together,“ he told the media at the ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday. When asked if the Opposition continued to play up the fuel price hike issue as political capital, he said it should not happen since the current situation was a direct result of international geopolitical

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the country is currently in crisis preparedness mode following global uncertainties which affect fuel prices. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development minister, asked all parties not to point fingers at the government regarding the fuel price hike. He added that the current situation was caused by the global crisis and required the cooperation