Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd’s Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the language has to be simple and less jargonistic for the rural communities, Bernama reported.

For the more “educated” sector, he said, the explanation has to be data-driven and fact-based.

“It (fuel subsidy rationalisation) is a difficult decision but with the right communication strategy, the government can get a total buy-in from the citizens,” he was quoted as saying.

Afzanizam said the people should be informed of the benefits and outcomes so that they understand why fuel subsidies had to be rationalised.

Such benefits include channelling the savings from the initiative to improve healthcare services at public hospitals.

The government set a new diesel price of RM3.35 per litre from June 10, with the rate to be reviewed every week.

The previous price of RM2.15 per litre will be maintained for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

The decision to float the price has led to brickbats, especially from the opposition.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended the rationalisation, promising that the money saved would be channelled back to the people in terms of subsidies and cash aid.

The domestic trade and cost of living ministry meanwhile has summoned 10 companies for imposing price hikes on goods and services offered following the implementation of the targeted diesel subsidies.