Anwar denies ‘Robin Hood’ label amid subsidy reforms

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed comparisons to “Robin Hood” following his recent introduction of subsidy rationalisation for the higher income group, known as the T15 group, after the 2025 Budget.

Speaking at the Temu Anwar programme, Anwar said the implementation aims to assist lower income groups.

“If we want to support the impoverished, we must have sufficient resources. We inherited a debt of RM1.5 trillion, and we do not wish to tax the public. We are only taxing the ultra-wealthy a little.

“That isn’t being Robin Hood; it’s simply withdrawing subsidies,” he said during a dialogue session at Universiti Pertahanan Malaysia (UPNM) here on Friday (Nov 1).

Anwar stated that Malaysia is among the nations providing the highest subsidies and has one of the lowest tax systems in the world.

“Imagine, there are some of the wealthiest people in this country who, under previous policies, received electricity subsidies from the government.

“The government simply wants them to pay the cost price, which I believe is fair. If certain parties want to politicise the matter as unfair or unreasonable, it is because the matter involves their businesses,” he added.

Discussing international relations, Anwar emphasised the importance of maintaining diplomatic ties with all parties for the country’s benefit.

“My friends advised me not to be too harsh on criticism over the occupation of Palestine, because it could hurt investment from the United States.

“But I maintained my relationship with them. When I met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Vientiane, Laos recently, we spoke about investment, Gaza and Lebanon,” he said.

Anwar also revealed there were suggestions from his counterparts to sever ties with Russia, China, and the United States.

“I told them that it is their problem if they have conflict with each other, but do not involve us. We are a sovereign and independent country. We make decisions for the betterment of the country and citizens,” he added.