He said this is also to prevent the wealthy and the estimated 3.5 million foreigners in the country from benefitting from subsidies.

“We give petrol subsidies and who benefits now? Besides the people, even the 3.5 to four million foreigners also get petrol subsidies because we give subsidies to everyone.

“The richest people in our country also get petrol subsidies.

“So we need subsidy targeting so that the benefits of the subsidy are directly returned to 80-85% of the population,” he said in his speech at the Perlis-level Madani breaking of fast event at Felda Chuping here today.

He said in the case of electricity usage, the recent increase in tariffs only affects 15% of the people, who are high-income earners, and factories or companies.

Anwar said subsidy targeting will also stop the leakages and smuggling that have been occurring for so long, causing losses of tens of billions of ringgit every year.

“If we make any changes related to diesel, we must ensure that public services, Felda lorries, fishermen, school buses and government departments do not face any increases,” he said.

Anwar said the government is ready to listen to views and criticisms regarding subsidy targeting and increasing the country’s revenue.