The other is to switch bulk aid or subsidy to targeted assistance or subsidy.
Prime Minister Najib Razak said targeted assistance or subsidy would ensure that aid for the people reached the groups that needed help.
Wastage and leakage occurred in the implementation of bulk subsidy because foreigners and tourists also enjoyed the aid, he said.
Najib announced this when launching the “Jom Bantu Rakyat Kuala Selangor” (Let’s Help Kuala Selangor Folk) programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Ijok in Bestari Jaya here.
“Bulk aid or bulk subsidy results in much leakage and injustice.
“Who benefits from fuel subsidies? Those who own big cars benefit more, the tourists benefit, the migrant workers benefit,” he said.
Najib said whatever the government could save from the fuel subsidy could be used to provide other targeted subsidies for the people.
On the second approach, the Barisan Nasional chairman said the government opted for its leaders to interact with the people without being bound by strict protocol as in the past.
“Even today (during the visit to Sekolah Kebangsaan Ijok), I was welcomed by the people, not with the red carpet and ‘bunga manggar’ protocol but the sincere enthusiasm of the people.
“This is what I prefer, the sincere welcome of the people,” he said.
Najib hit out at the opposition for criticising the government every time fuel prices went up when the rise was actually determined by market forces.
He said they chose to remain silent when the government was able to help raise the price of palm oil to RM3,300 per tonne.
He said the rise in the price of palm oil was the result of his visit to China in October last year after China agreed to increase the purchase of the commodity from Malaysia.
“The price of palm oil rose to RM3,300 per tonne, the price of rubber also tripled.
“I enquired about this from a retired teacher who has 4ha of oil palm. He is now earning RM4,000 net a month,” he said.
Najib also announced an allocation of RM1.5 million to develop the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia jetty in Kampung Sungai Sembilang as a major agro-tourism hub for the country.
Kuala Selangor had huge potential for agro-tourism. This could greatly benefit not only the fishermen there but the constituents as well, he said.
“We have to change our mindset to rejuvenate our area. For example, I have provided an allocation of RM1.5 million to develop the Sungai Sembilang jetty as a fishermen’s hub. The fishermen can sell their catch instead of going through middlemen.
“This will double the income of the fishermen,” he said.
At the event, Najib also launched a National Transformation 2050 (TN50) monument at Sekolah Kebangsaan Ijok as a gesture symbolising the government’s vision for the next 30 years.
The prime minister also called on a single mother, Mariamah Yaakob, 70, at her home in Kampung Jalan Kemajuan, Batu 8, Ijok, and presented her with essential goods.
He said he had instructed Kuala Selangor MP Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim to look into other forms of aid, including replacing the old zinc roof of Mariamah’s house.