Malaysia Prime Minister announces measures to ease living costs

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced several measures aimed at addressing rising living costs and supporting small businesses. Key initiatives include increasing the monthly RON95 petrol subsidy quota from 200 litres to 300 litres and raising the BudiDiesel quota to 400 litres.

To support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the government is raising the annual revenue threshold for mandatory e-invoicing exemption from RM1 million to RM3 million. Additionally, the government has allocated RM200 million in grants for hawkers and small traders, and increased microfinancing facilities to RM6 billion for 2026.

Other announced measures include a RM500 million increase for school maintenance, RM1 billion to strengthen digital capabilities in the public healthcare system, and a government artificial intelligence program providing free three-month subscriptions to key AI applications for 100,000 youths aged 18 to 30. Anwar also stated that funds seized from anti-corruption proceedings will be directed toward education and healthcare programs.