Govt urged to rethink T15 subsidy cuts amid public concern

KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of the targeted subsidies for the so-called T15 income bracket would place pressure on dual-income households, particularly working women, says Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

The Muar Member of Parliament explained that if a dual-income household with an income of RM13,000 surpasses the T15 threshold, it will negatively impact the families listed in the income bracket.

“It would affect them whereby the family would lose access to subsidies such as petrol, education, and healthcare,” he said when debating the 2025 Supply Bill in the Dewan Rakyat here on Wednesday (Oct 23).

The former youth and sports minister added that the practice of announcing decisions first and thinking of the consequences later should stop, as it causes public anxiety.

“Who exactly are the T15? This is the problem when announcements are made first, and the thinking happens later. The public has heard the Prime Minister’s speech and what they stand to lose.

“But now, when pressured, the government says, ‘it’s okay, we’ll think about it’. But the public is already anxious,” he said.

Syed Saddiq, using the Budi Madani fuel subsidy programme as an example, said the policy would be ineffective without updated data.

“That was for diesel, which many don’t use. Imagine RON95, healthcare, schools, and universities—far more people rely on those, so don’t use shock tactics on the public,” he said.

Syed Saddiq also said the public is still waiting for details of the Central Database Hub (Padu), which was implemented between 2023 and 2025 and cost RM85.27mil.