Anwar said these subsidies should be directed to those who need them the most, including those from the Middle 40 and Bottom 40 groups, as well as small traders.

“As an example, Tenaga Nasional Berhad has nearly 10 million customers, but 10% or 1 million include conglomerates who are enjoying over 50% of the electricity subsidy,” he said in a statement today.

“Government departments must design and develop appropriate vehicles to implement targeted subsidies after taking into account the interests of consumers and industries to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of this policy.”

This comes two weeks after Anwar said relevant ministries and agencies will have to analyse and discuss targeted subsidies for the people.

He said the priority is to ease the burden of the people, especially those in the lower-income bracket, in view of the rise in the prices of goods and cost of living.

Anwar also said the government remains committed to developing and supporting sustainable industrial development.

He said the country’s livestock sector has long reached a sustainable level to meet local demand and has the capacity to export, adding that the government intends to make it easier for these industries to do so.

He also said it is crucial that the livestock sector be given the support it needs to produce enough supply to meet local demand.

Anwar said the government will consider examining intervention methods at the consumer level to guarantee supply, adding that this will be presented at tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting.