Ong: 'Surprise announcement' on petrol subsidies inviting backlash

Former deputy minister Ong Kian Ming has questioned Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli’s statement that the government will replicate its strategy and not give the public advance notice on any decision to remove blanket subsidies for RON95 petrol.

He told Malaysiakini that the government’s move to “keep its cards close to its chest the same way it surprised everyone with the diesel subsidy rationalisation programme” was likely to be ill-received and invite a backlash.

“Firstly, the diesel subsidy rationalisation...