KUALA LUMPUR — The government expects subsidies for imported rice to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan to reach up to RM500 million this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said from October to December 2023, RM92.84 million was allocated for subsidies on essential goods.
In addition, he said last year, RM96 million was allocated for egg subsidies in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, with an estimated RM3.6 billion earmarked for diesel subsidies at petrol stations and for fishermen in these states this year.
He said this in reply to a question from Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau) during the oral question and answer session, who asked about plans to standardise prices between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah/Sarawak, as well as mechanisms to combat the smuggling of subsidised goods.
On the smuggling of subsidised goods, Armizan affirmed the government’s ongoing commitment to addressing these challenges, especially concerning controlled and subsidised items at th
e border areas.
— BERNAMA
MALAYSIA WILL USE INTERNATIONAL PLATFORMS TO SECURE PALESTINE’S FULL MEMBERSHIP IN UN
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia will continue to use international platforms to advocate for Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations (UN).
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin emphasised that Malaysia consistently voices a firm stance at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to protect Palestinians from illegal occupation, apartheid policies and human rights violations by Israel.
“Malaysia remains steadfast in its efforts to champion the Palestinian cause through the UN Human Rights Council. We are dedicated to working towards the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We also strive for Palestine to achieve full UN membership,” he said during the oral question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said this in reply to Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik) regarding Malaysia’s role as a memb
er of the UNHRC for the 2022-2024 session, particularly in enhancing solidarity policies in support of Palestine.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency