Heavy consequences: We should not be too quick to condemn and pass judgement, or worse, bully someone on social media. — 123rf

FREEDOM of speech has been taken for a ride recently on social media under the guise of ignorance. Many people think they can say and write whatever they want with impunity.

However, this privilege doesn’t equate to the luxury of slandering or defaming others.

Targeted parties also have their rights and can exercise them when unproven accusations and even innuendoes are made about them.

Everyone in the media, including social influencers and their followers who post nasty messages, are governed by the law.

Most of us in mainstream media have been sued at one point or another. We’re often picked on because the grieving parties, and their lawyers, assume our companies can pay.

Despite these established media outlets having fulltime legal officers and editors who handle these demands, slip-ups still occur.

News portals receive lighter retribution because they’re deemed to have a smaller audience and are less likely able to pay up, although this no longer rings true.

Some of these portals are run by young editors with no training in legal rules, or even journalism fundamentals, unlike their more experienced and older counterparts in mainstream media who began their careers on the court beat.

We were educated on terms like defamation, libelous, slander, summons, statement of claims, affidavits, case management, sub judice, ultra vires, among others, from day one as reporters.

But much has changed in the media sphere. Many editors who clear copies have minimal knowledge of the legal system, so the prospect of letting through stories that infringe on defamation laws is real.

Reporters are now able to skip the court and crime beats, which are often viewed as the most mundane and graveyard-shift gigs. Being called on at odd hours isn’t necessarily fun, but many of us started from the bottom, and we like the crime beat.

I’ve done my tour of duty visiting police stations, crime scenes, fires, hospitals, morgues and even delivering bad news of deceased victims as a young reporter.

But now, online news portals – which includes the mainstream media – have the comments section.

The most seditious, defamatory and racist comments are freely posted in some of these portals. It’s near impossible to moderate these discussions since comments are posted around the clock.

These are genuine news portals, but then, there are also social influencers who draw a different audience. They may be a one-person operation, but their reach runs into the millions.

They probably have greater impact than some mainstream news portals, and the world wide web is a free-for-all space.

But it can have deadly consequences, too. Social media influencer A. Rajeswary, better known as Esha, used her Tik Tok platform to review cosmetics.

It sounds innocent as it was not even political or religious in nature, but it turned lethal when she was taunted by cyberbullies with threats of gang rape and physical violence, which drove her to suicide.

The nation is outraged that the penalty was a paltry RM100 fine imposed on private nursing homeowner Shalini Periasamy after she pleaded guilty in a Magistrate’s Court for deliberately uttering vulgarities with the intention to incite anger and disturb peace through her Tik Tok account, an offence under the Minor Offences Act.

She got away with a slap on the wrist probably because the case was the first involving cyber bullying and there are no specific laws for it yet.

The culprit walked out of court with a smirk on her face, seemingly indifferent to her grave act.

Esha was found dead in a condominium unit in Setapak on July 5, a day after lodging a report at the Dang Wangi police station over threats made against her.

The first accused, lorry driver B. Sathiskumar, pleaded guilty to a charge of posting lewd comments on Tik Tok. He claimed trial to a second charge of posting lewd comments with the intention of outraging the modesty of Esha’s mother, PR Puspa, 56, on the same day.

Then, there’s the case involving HRD Corp, which has made national news.

It’s common practice for the media to report on the findings of the Auditor General’s Report and the Public Accounts Committee. Most of the weaknesses and alleged conducts of mismanagement and malpractices are reported by these two bodies, and naturally, the media would go to town with it as they detail the reports.

The media has the right to question and cite cases of alleged violations of improper governance as it involves public money. No one should be able to stop the media.

Many questions have surfaced with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission forming a task force to investigate elements of crime while an independent auditor has also been hired to dig deeper.

Reporting the findings of the AG and PAC would be the easy and safe way, but many media commentators also want to have their say because the case is of public interest, and the people deserve to know more.

But there are also those who hide behind anonymity and escape punishment with their innuendoes and accusations, while some news portals have received demand letters from HRD Corp.

Accusations of “stealing people’s money,” “dubious” and “bloody thieves” in commentaries, however, risk the writers being sued, as those implicated can defend their integrity.

These words cast aspersions on the people implicated when they haven’t even been charged with any offence.

None of these words were used by the AG and PAC, as they have merely raised issues on possible mismanagement and short-sightedness on the part of HRD Corp, but Human Resources Minister Steven Sim has asked HRD Corp to drop the legal letters since no one in the media should be pressured on their reporting.

Defamation actions are costly and time-consuming exercises, and all parties hate going to court because it takes ages to resolve. Most parties eventually find a settlement with an apology and financial agreement.

By then, the public has already lost interest in the case and the aggrieved parties have cooled down.

For old-fashioned journalists trained to be cautious and mindful of the laws, we’re becoming a rarity, and could possibly be dismissed in the digital age where anything and everything is done to increase clicks and followers.

I’m still finding it difficult to understand how there can be “likes” with the thumbs-up emoji about news of someone who has died, sometimes in a terrible way even.

Our Federal Court has ruled that the publisher – a media company or a person who owns a social media account – is responsible for the comments posted. Basically, if the comments are defamatory or seditious, you can be sued and also be hauled up by the authorities.

However, tracing anonymous readers can be a nightmare if these online publishers need to protect themselves.

There’s a lesson to be learnt from Esha’s tragic death. Her demise shouldn’t be forgotten, and laws need to evolve to remain relevant in the digital age.

No one should be cyberbullied over social media, or even allow a narrative to be created by political and religious operatives who can individually run thousands and even millions of accounts.

Unfortunately, many of us are quick to condemn and pass judgement, and worse, bully someone on social media without thinking of the consequences.

Acting against these online violators isn’t an infringement on the freedom of speech, and our prosecutors shouldn’t take these cases lightly after the police have completed their investigations. Accountability is imperative.

Malaysians have remained happy with cheap diesel, petrol, cooking oil, flour, rice, and other food items, but the bill has now gone out of control. — AFP

THIS is obviously poor timing for the head of government of any country since they must all deal with the rising cost of living that has affected people across the globe for the past few years.

Voters in democracies are angry with politicians and have displayed their disillusionment by dismissing their governments.

Although hardly the best option, right wing parties have been voted in across Europe, and Donald Trump potentially getting re-elected in the United States should no longer be shocking.

Daily news reports abound about protests against sharp price increases of food items, new taxes – which in Kenya even included an eventually scrapped bread tax. Rocketing inflation rates are hogging just as many newsbytes.

The World Economic Forum reported that one in four adults in 11 developed countries is struggling with financial issues. In Britain, one in seven adults can’t afford to eat every day.

The sad truth is the Russia-Ukraine War has detrimentally impacted the world as food production and distribution have taken a beating, leading to a global crisis in the cost of living. Ukraine is one of the world’s top agricultural producers and exporters, especially of oilseed and grains.Forbes reported that the rising cost of living remains a prominent concern across the United States with surveys indicating that Americans rank inflation as one of the top problems facing their country. As prices continue to soar in nearly every aspect of life, from groceries to transportation to housing, it seems sticky inflation has a hand in everything.

Closer to home, Singapore is the most expensive city to live in in Asean, and even the world, with a score of 85.9 out of 100 on Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index. It’s on par with Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Unless Malaysians working in Singapore are willing to commute daily from Johor Baru, their hard-earned income will invariably go to expensive rental and basic commodities on the island.

There’s a difference between the cost of living and living standards. Waking up at 4am daily to get ready to cross the Strait of Johor is surely the best option if one has nothing else to choose from.

Living in a tiny flat in HK, Singapore or Tokyo isn’t a high standard of living, but owning a landed property with several rooms, two cars or more, and a maid, in KL or JB, is certainly a good living, even with lower wages.But for many Malaysians living on RM2,000 to RM5,000 in KL with families to feed, it’s a genuine struggle.

Ahead of Budget 2025, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged that the rising cost of living is still present and affecting the public, although he said oil, flour and sugar were relatively cheaper.

When Anwar took office as PM in 2022, he announced that his primary focus would be the cost of living and a slowing economy.Anwar’s commitment shouldn’t be doubted, but two years later, it must be apparent to him that it’s not easy dealing with those issues since voters are now displaying their unhappiness towards his Madani government.

For decades, Malaysia’s inflation rate has been kept artificially low because of heavy subsidies from the government.

Malaysians have remained happy with cheap diesel, petrol, cooking oil, flour, rice, and other food items, but the bill has now gone out of control.

The price of diesel has gone up as the government cuts subsidies, which has caused much consternation.

The reality is the subsidy bill alone has risen 10-fold from RM1.4bil in 2019 to RM14.3bil in 2023.The government reduced its subsidy payout last month to save about RM4bil annually, with the savings expected to be redirected to low-income groups.

But I doubt low-income Malaysians who are struggling to put food on the table care for the government’s subsidy rationalisation exercise.

It may be the right thing to do by the Madani government, but not many are going to be convinced.

Of course, Anwar could take the easy way out by allowing the subsidy bill to balloon, but that would do this country a great injustice.

An adjustment in the RON95 subsidy is anticipated in the coming months after the impact of the diesel subsidy cuts has been assessed.Bernama reported that the adjustment was expected to be small, like the retail pricing of diesel fuel, quoting the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research executive director Anthony Dass.

“We need to look at the impact of the diesel subsidy rationalisation, so we probably need to give it a three- to six-month grace period. We need to look at the impact analysis first, and how the people are adjusting. From that, the government can make the next adjustment to the RON 95 [petrol subsidy],” Dass said.

The price adjustment for RON 95 petrol is expected to come into effect “closer to October” as this would give the government more time to look at the impact analysis, he added.

However, the RM8bil in savings from fuel subsidies may only be realised next year, depending on the quantum and duration of the fuel price adjustment. More could also be saved if the RON 95 subsidy rationalisation happens this year, according to a TA Securities report.

We can expect another round of political criticisms with the replay of past populist promises by government leaders to reduce the price of oil after forming the next government.

It’s always easy for politicians to make wild promises when in the Opposition, but reality bites when they’re in government. Talk is cheap, goes the adage.

There are also legacy issues inherited by the Madani government – the government has repaid RM13.3bil of 1MDB’s debt so far.“As at Dec 31, 2021, 1MDB’s outstanding debt, comprising principal and coupons/profit for bonds and Sukuk, amounted to RM38. 81 billion,” said Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz in 2022.

The recovered money from 1MDB is only enough to pay off the principal amount of the debt still owed by the firm this year.

1MDB raised billions of dollars in bonds, ostensibly for investment projects and joint ventures, between 2009 and 2013.

Basically, while billions have been stolen from 1MDB, Malaysia must still settle its debts!

Imagine how much of these billions could have been used to pay our subsidy bills, build schools, hospitals, homes and rail links.

It will not be easy to explain the necessity for subsidy rationalisation, the impact of US Fed interest rates on the ringgit, and the long-haul cost of 1MDB to our economy at ceramahs, yet all of us will have to grin and bear it.

There’s no rosy picture and a miracle isn’t looming either. The government needs to boost its communications strategy urgently as perception is everything in politics. Likewise, communication.

United in sports: The Olympic rings in the Place du Trocadéro in Paris. Malaysians of all races will be looking forward to seeing the country’s contingent marching into the stadium come July 26. — ANN JEA/Wikimedia Commons

I CAN’T wait for the Olympic Games in Paris to begin. Like for many people around the world, and not just in Malaysia, most of us are sick of feuding politicians as well as leaders who’re clueless about retirement.

At least the sporting spectacle offers temporary respite as we shift our attention elsewhere during that 17-day period.

Political toxicity is suffocating us, yet we’re guilty of our obsession with politics.

If there’s a gold medal for the most daily political messages on social media, Malaysia could earn a good haul in Paris.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, there is none, but we’ll cheer our Malaysian team on in Paris for good reason.

It will be a showcase of athletic prowess and sportsmanship, excellence, friendship, and respect. The Games will also be a tapestry of cultures, and a display of diversity and unity.

The competition aside, we all look forward to the roll call of the countries, when most athletes will appear decked in their colourful traditional costumes and bearing flags at the opening and closing ceremonies. It often feels like humanity is still intact with the joy brought about by the sight of people on this planet coming together.

For Malaysians, we always wait with bated breath for our contingent to march into the stadium as we attempt to identify our athletes.

Regardless of our races and religions, we’re consumed by pride at the sight of our team and the Jalur Gemilang.

Simply put, sports brings people together. We rally behind our Harimau Malaya emotionally each time they take to the pitch.

But we also respect our competitors. Rivalry brings out the best during competition. And it’s not about foul play or destruction, either. That’s why the players of competing teams shake hands before and after matches.

Likewise, our Malaysian football league not only provides the best footballing entertainment from each state but is also a platform for the best talent to be spotted and earn selection for the national team.

With the Olympics, there are three important elements. In Latin, they are citius (faster), altius (higher), and fortius (stronger), all expressions of excellence in sports.

But as Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee said, “We can go faster, we can only aim higher, we can only become stronger by standing together – in solidarity.”

I’m a hardcore Arsenal supporter, and I can’t stand the sight of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs. But I won’t condone any form of hooliganism, thuggery, or violence against them. Rivalry must never get out of hand.

There’s another area of interest which always brings people together, and that is music. It creates a sense of shared experience and emotional connection, as one report quoting researchers revealed.

It said when people listen to music together or dance to it, they feel a sense of unity and belonging, and that music can serve as a source of hope and healing, especially in times of conflict and reconciliation.

Michael Jackson’s Heal The World and its call to make the world a better place has certainly conveyed that message to the world more effectively than all the heads of states put together.

The 1991 hit song is steeped in antiwar lyrics and Jackson’s hope for humanity’s betterment, a theme that has remained relevant. It can also be viewed from the perspective of saving the world from environmental destruction.

I get goose pimples each time I hear Ella’s Standing In The Eyes Of The World, which makes me feel enormously proud to be Malaysian.

It was chosen as the theme song for the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, but that patriotic song has remained pertinent to remind all of us to unite as Malaysia.

Sheila has always managed to bring all Malaysians, regardless of their races, together at her sold-out concerts. — Handout

Sheila Majid – my all-time favourite Malaysian singer – has successfully managed to bring all Malaysians, regardless of their races, together at her sold-out concerts. It’s such a joy to see multiracial Malaysia under one roof.

Malaysia’s favourite son, Sudirman Hj Arshad had that same innate ability, and his famous Chow Kit concert in Kuala Lumpur in 1986 stands the test of time as one of those glorious moments of wholesome unity in Malaysian history.

Sudirman’s famous free concert on Chow Kit Road, Kuala Lumpur, on April 15, 1986, drew some 100,000 fans of all races. — Filepic/The Star

While few Malaysian artistes have been able to generate that kind of emotion, the Alleycats, a non-Malay band which sings Malay songs, is certainly cut from the same cloth.

The recently concluded Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak has become an important date in the calendar of global music as an annual celebration of culture, music and nature.

Bravo to the Sarawak state government for hosting this festival, which has brought together various cultures from around the world to Malaysia to showcase their music and heritage.

In Selangor and Penang, the Japanese embassy and its community must be commended for observing the annual Bon Odori festival.

The event, which began as an understated affair in 1977 for Japanese expatriates to immerse their children in their culture, has today become a much-awaited annual celebration for over 30,000 people, one report said.

Then, in 2022, the PAS leadership issued a directive to Muslims to keep clear of the Japanese cultural fiesta in Shah Alam. However, the Sultan of Selangor, as the head of Islam in the state, ordered the festival to proceed and even instructed state religious department officials to attend.

That’s what happens when politics comes into play, and it’s worse when religion is used as a reason.

PAS was upset when Coldplay played in Kuala Lumpur last November, even though the group is known for its pro-Palestinian stand — the Islamist party’s grouse is the British band’s pro- LGBTQ stand. Thankfully, no one gave two hoots to PAS as the band played to a full house at the National Stadium.

If that’s the PAS argument, it’s going to be hard finding a Western artiste that’s not similarly aligned because in the countries they come from, it’s politically correct to adopt that stand.

Going by PAS logic, their leaders won’t even be meeting world leaders such as Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who is openly gay, and many heads of states and governments, including those from Andorra, Belgium, France, Iceland, Ireland and Luxembourg. Looks like PAS leaders will only meet their counterparts from the Taliban, which is all that’s left.

Bruno Mars has now found himself in a pickle for his expression of love for his Israeli fans during his two-day concert in Tel Aviv last October.

He reportedly said he loved Tel Aviv, but some social media users have interpreted that as an endorsement of Zionists, unaware that there are also secular and Muslim Arabs with Israeli passports.

His concert in KL scheduled for September has received mixed reactions, with calls for him to make his stand known.

It’s currently not a bed of roses for musicians, but if Mars finally performs here, it’s certain he will say “I love Kuala Lumpur” and “let’s make some noise KL”, which are the standard rallying calls used by all foreign musicians, even if they don’t really mean it.

But, of course, KL will love Mars if he speaks up against genocide, ethnic cleansing, and humanitarian disaster. One cannot talk about love and yet turn a blind eye to what’s happening in Palestine.

Again, we watch these games and concerts simply because we enjoy them and the spirit of solidarity they elicit. That’s all.

So let’s not make life more complicated than it already is. As John Lennon said, Give Peace A Chance, and politicians, please just stay at home if you find concerts offensive or deem them “tempat maksiat” for promoting “hedonism”, which are the routinely recycled catch phrases PAS uses.

Unbearable: There’s usually a sea of umbrellas in Kuala Lumpur nowadays as tourists try to protect themselves from the scorching sun. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

MOST Malaysians are quite aware about the importance of preserving the environment and the need for sustainability. We’re familiar with climate change but oblivious to how it affects our daily lives. That indifference is about to dramatically change, though.

Unpredictable heavy rain and almost neverending heatwaves are now battering us daily, along with an increasing frequency of droughts and floods.

We’re now facing a spike in temperature earlier in the day, followed by thunderstorms, lightning, and downpours in the evenings.

The wet season is usually ushered in by the yearend monsoon, while the mercury rises around February, during the Chinese New Year period. That was how it used to be.

On March 21 this year, Pokok Sena, Kedah, recorded the highest temperature, 39.3°C, which is only slightly below the all-time high anomaly of 40.1°C recorded in Chuping, Perlis, in 1998.

Since that month, several Asean countries have experienced record-breaking temperatures with the devastating consequence of leaving people dead.

In the Philippines, it hit 53°C in Iba City; 48°C in Myanmar (in the Magway region); and 47°C in Vientiane. The Star reported that Bangkok, notorious for its heat, registered 52°C at the end of April.

And Reuters reported the heatwave in Saudi Arabia that was blamed for the deaths of 1,300 people on the Haj pilgrimage this month was made worse by climate change, according to a team of European scientists.

“Temperatures along the route from June 16 to 18 reached 47°C at times and exceeded 51.8°C at Mecca’s Great Mosque.”

Just last week, I spent five days in Hangzhou and Shanghai. Even though it’s already summer, it rained heavily daily. China, especially its southern part, has reported unusually heavy amounts of rain over the last few days.

This is all unprecedented, even for those of us who live in Asean countries where we are accustomed to warm weather – even we are finding the prolonged heatwave unbearable.

The heatwave has been attributed to a combination of causes including climate change and the El Nino weather cycle, during which warmer Pacific Ocean surface temperatures release more heat into the atmosphere.

Whether we like it or not, Earth has now entered the global boiling phase. Yes, we have passed the global warming stage, and it was an official declaration by the United Nations last year.

It was reported that April this year was the warmest month ever in the world after marking 11 consecutive months of unprecedented global temperatures, according to scientists.

But it’s no longer a matter of mere discomfort. The Star columnist Mangai Balasegaram wrote that the global mean temperature increased by more than 1.5°C – the critical threshold which scientists say we shouldn’t exceed to prevent catastrophic climate change.

Quoting the World Meteorological Organisation’s latest report, she wrote that Asia is heating up faster than the global average – almost doubling since the 1961-1990 period, with the report describing Asia as the “most disaster-hit region” from weather and climate hazards in 2023. Many countries here experienced a “barrage of extreme conditions, from droughts and heatwaves to floods and storms”.

Malaysia is projected to experience 200 heatwave days a year by 2050, with more extreme floods and thunderstorms, added Mangai, who writes on health issues monthly in StarLifestyle.

This shouldn’t be the concern of just government and non-governmental organisations. It needs to involve parents, schools, and places of worship in instilling the need to preserve our planet.

The Malaysian media also needs to provide regular, dedicated space to environment and conservation stories.

It’s great that environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment has become a requirement for public listed companies, and heartening that more have realised it should no longer be about mere compliance.

Scoring well on responsibility metrics and standards are potential investments for companies. Younger shareholders and customers also take ESG seriously because they want to be associated with and support companies that embrace the standards as their company’s statement and stand.

We need comprehensive policies and laws, as well as proper enforcement with strict priorities – otherwise the best laws would amount to very little.

No one will be spared, as we will be affected by health issues, food production challenges, and lower work productivity much more than we realise.

Malaysians, like the rest of the world, will face the heat, literally. It has already hit us, and it will get hotter. There’s nothing left to boil over because we have now officially entered the stage of Global Boiling.

MALAYSIANS have become so pampered that the reduction or removal of subsidies on items stirs much unhappiness, and even ire, towards the government.

Many of us are unaware that these subsidies, especially diesel and petrol, are non-existent in many oil-producing countries even.

It doesn’t help that politicians make populist promises of overnight price reduction on essential items including diesel and petrol if they’re voted into power.

Previous leaders kept Malaysians happy with these subsidies despite knowing it’s finite lifespan because none of them wanted to be unpopular.

Politicians are notoriously short-sighted. They don’t work out long-term plans because they don’t care about the financial drain on our coffers.

Staying elected for five years is their selfish consideration. What happens in 10 or 20 years isn’t their problem. As the popular Malaysian saying goes, belakang kira.

Then, there was the constant gloating about our inflation being among the lowest in the world, but what’s conspicuously left out is that this is result of heavy subsidies by the government.

The diesel subsidy bill alone has risen 10-fold from RM1.4bil in 2019 to RM14.3bil in 2023.

Many Malaysians are not aware that our fuel prices are among the lowest in the world. Even cheaper than oil-producing Saudi Arabia.

Malaysia’s diesel is the second cheapest in Asean after Brunei, but it has also led to smuggling causing billions of ringgit to be lost.

Among other basic items, the country also heavily subsidises the prices of cooking oil and rice, but our subsidy bill has risen to record levels in recent years amid surging commodity prices.

Even the price of sugar is being kept artificially low and under the ceiling price due to incentive payments made by the government to the sugar industry, resulting in Malaysia, a non-sugar producing country, having among the lowest sugar prices in the world. Consequently, our diabetes rate is among the highest in the world.

The New Straits Times quoted the Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy calling for the removal of sugar as a gazetted item under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 to bolster preventive health efforts and harmonise policies which directly impact the wellbeing of Malaysians.

Its chief executive Azrul Mohd Khalib said Malaysia currently has one of the lowest sugar prices in the world, which has a direct implication for the continued and uncontrolled spread of diabetes in this country, causing cardio-renal-metabolic diseases such as chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, which cause premature death.

“Seven million Malaysian adults aged 18 years and above are estimated to be living with diabetes by 2025. The rate of diabetes is among the highest in the world. More than five million or 16 per cent of the adult population are living with chronic kidney disease, many of whom are also diabetic.”

Yes, the government’s reduction in subsidies for diesel may lead to the rising cost of living.

So, it’s essential for the government to use its resources to explain simply why it has ended up with a RM1.5 trillion (US$318bil) debt pile.

The blame can partially be placed on the losses from the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal – scrapped the blanket diesel subsidy recently as it seeks to deflate a ballooning subsidy bill that costs nearly RM80bil last year alone, according to the South China Morning Post.

The subsidy cut, which doesn’t apply to Sabah and Sarawak, is reportedly expected to save the government RM4bil annually.

The government has also indicated that fuel subsidies have not been equal. Those driving bigger cars enjoy more fuel subsidies than those with smaller ones, thus a targeted subsidy scheme is required.

Malaysia may be an oil exporter, but the subsidy reportedly costs the country more every time oil prices rise – money which can be directed towards other beneficial projects.

According to a CGS-CIMB research reported in The Star, it’s estimated that for every US$1 (RM4.18) per barrel average increase in oil price, the government will need to pay around RM780mil in fuel subsidies (based on the price of RON95 petrol and diesel at RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre respectively).

That cost would realistically be higher now, especially with the ringgit depreciating against the US dollar since 2023.

The World Bank Malaysia has rightly said that the implementation of rationalised diesel subsidies signals reform seriousness by the Malaysian government and sets the stage for RON95 petrol reforms, believes economist Apurva Sanghi.

Apurva, who is the World Bank lead economist for Malaysia, said the success of RON95 reforms depends on several factors – timing, how price increases are handled and how it’s communicated to the middle class.

“Diesel reforms come on top of other recent reforms such as electricity subsidies for large-scale users and water tariff reforms.

“It sets the stage for addressing the elephant in the room – RON95 subsidies, but what will help it stick?” he said in a series of posts on X last month.

He said RON95 reforms can lead to one-time increase in prices, pointing out how it could rise between 5% to 9%, depending on global energy prices.

“Timing becomes more important. Introduce RON95 reforms when energy prices are relatively low,” he said.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has in the past been criticised for making populist statements, but he has boldly undertaken a hugely unpopular decision. Like a skilled surgeon, he must remove the cancerous parts from the body.

The subsidy reforms must continue even if there’s backlash. There’s no general election for the next three years, so he has the responsibility to do what’s necessary to save Malaysia.

But the lesson here is that he needs to have a better narrative each time he executes a necessary but politically damaging move.

His team must prepare the nation, and even its own party lawmakers, on why these painful but necessary moves are beneficial in the long run.

They need to remind Malaysians that the government still bears around RM7bil in subsidies related to diesel in Peninsular Malaysia.

The diesel subsidy rationalisation will help establish more efficient management of subsidies, preventing misuse and ensuring they reach appropriate groups as the savings can be returned to the wider population in the form of improvements to education, health, public transportation, and other sectors that have the greatest impact on the public.

The challenge will be for the government to convince Malaysians struggling with the cost of living.

The resentment won’t go away unless the government reaches out to the people more effectively because then, half the battle would have been won.