Speaking to the press after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting today, Mahathir also announced that the Permata Negara early education programme under the patronage of Rosmah Mansor, wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, will now be put under the Ministry of Education.
Mahathir also said the government was setting up a special fund called “Tabung Harapan Malaysia” to allow Malaysians to contribute towards settling the country’s debt.
“We know some Malaysians want to help and we welcome such efforts,” he said.
Last week Mahathir said the country’s debt amounted to RM1 trillion.
Meanwhile, Mahathir also announced that the sales and service tax (SST) will be reintroduced from September.
Here’re other announcements by Mahathir today.
On petrol prices:
Prices of diesel and RON95 will be maintained. Prices of RON97 petrol will be floated according to market prices. Details will be discussed tomorrow.
On scrapping the Singapore-KL High Speed Rail project:
The decision is subject to discussions with Singapore.
“We are also looking at other mega projects. One of the ways, of course, is to do away with projects which are not beneficial to the country.”
On ECRL:
The government has not decided on the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
“ECRL is not cancelled. We are still reviewing it. We need clever ways to resolve this issue,” he added.
On development near Pedra Branca:
The Middle Rocks which belongs to Malaysia, near the once disputed island of Pedra Branca, will be developed.
“It is our intention to enlarge Middle Rocks so we can form a small island for us,” said Mahathir. (In 2008, Pedra Branca was awarded to Singapore by the International Court of Justice).
On cash aid programme BR1M:
“I don’t know about BR1M, but we have Bantuan Sara Hidup,” said Mahathir, announcing a new government cash aid scheme.
On dismantling Jakim:
Mahathir said Cabinet had not discussed about the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim), but is in consultation with a group of Muslim scholars on its future.
“We fail to carry out many Islamic practices, and the religion is portrayed as harsh and forceful,” he said.
On bonus for civil servants:
Civil servants under Grade 41 and below will receive RM400 bonus while retirees will be given RM200.
On honouring trade agreements with other countries:
“We haven’t thought about that. My personal stand is affected by my colleagues in the Cabinet. That is because I am no longer the dictator,” said Mahathir.