In-depth reporting on Malaysia and the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has signalled plans to expand Malaysia's SARA subsidy scheme to encompass vegetables and fruits, moving beyond current coverage to address broader food affordability concerns.
A Perak enforcement officer faces a three-day remand on suspicion of soliciting RM190,000 from a cooking oil packaging firm in exchange for facilitating access to subsidised oil quotas.
Three individuals have been arrested in Sabah following an investigation into the smuggling of subsidised cooking oil, highlighting ongoing enforcement challenges in the region.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended Malaysia's fuel pricing approach as necessary for protecting citizens, while warning of the risks associated with accumulating public debt if subsidies are withdrawn without careful planning.
Malaysia's MADANI Rahmah Sales Programme has consumed RM238.64 million since January, processing 21 million transactions across 17,000 nationwide sales events. The government aims to expand to 30,000 programmes by year-end.
Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong says Malaysia's fiscal projections for Budget 2027 remain on track despite oil price volatility increasing subsidy expenditure by RM40 billion, with higher petroleum revenue helping offset the burden.