Cost relief ‘tribute' likely
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Finance Ministry is currently refining proposals that can be announced immediately to ease the burden on the people and address current issues.
Anwar said that more time is needed to enhance the 'surprise' before the big reveal.
'I need a little more time to make the announcement, to allow my team under the Finance Ministry to prepare the 'surprise' in greater detail to ensure it is comprehensive.
'If not Monday, Tuesday ... give me two or three more days to refine it.'
The Prime Minister said the government is looking for the best approach to balance the rising cost of living with the country's fiscal capacity, given that existing expenditure on assistance such as the Rahmah Cash Contribution and civil servant salary increases has reached billions of ringgit.
'We want to increase salaries and allowances for public servants by RM10bil this year and next year by an additional RM18bil.
'We want to do the same with the STR by RM13bil, making it RM23bil.
'Every day at the Finance Ministry, we are working hard to find an approach that can be announced soon, especially to address the cost of living,' he said when launching the Bumiputra Master Plan, the Tunas Madani programme and the JKPSB housing project yesterday.
Anwar announced via social media earlier this week that he would make an important announcement as a gesture of appreciation for Malaysians.
At the same event, the Prime Minister said that eight newly appointed Court of Appeal judges and 14 High Court judges are scheduled to be sworn in on July 28.
He said the appointment process had gone through all the necessary stages, including the assessment by the Judicial Appointments Commission, discussions with the Malay Rulers, and the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
'Many have asked me why it was not announced earlier. I cannot answer arbitrarily because the process of appointing judges involves the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
'It needs to go through discussions with the Rulers and after it is agreed, it will then be brought back to the King for consent,' Anwar explained.
Earlier this week, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, consented to the appointment of the new Chief Justice of the Federal Court, Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as President of the Court of Appeal, and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak.
Their official swearing-in and presentation of letters of appointment will also be held on July 28.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Bank Rakyat charts new course
BANK Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Bhd, or more commonly known as Bank Rakyat, has never been the typical commercial bank. Established in 1954 under the Cooperative Ordinance 1948, it began as a small cooperative banking initiative meant to serve rural Malaysians and civil servants. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Sunday (July 20, 2025)
Malaysia: * Chief Secretary reminds civil servants not to join 'Himpunan Turun Anwar' * Haze: Unhealthy air quality detected in five areas nationwide * Normalcy restored after 24-hour autogate disruption at BSI entry points * Over 380,000 people affected by autogate glitch at BSI CIQ Complex * Anwar affirms commitment to addressing people's concerns at MP retreat * Stop the 'satay politics' of fanning flames, Asyraf urges Umno members * Three fined for having gay porn content on phones * Police investigating slander allegations against Alya Iman * Decision on Zayn Rayyan case to be known tomorrow * Police investigating case of schoolgirls conned into sending nude photos * Muhyiddin's former political secretary reveals Perikatan offer to BN during GE15 talks * Thousands flock to police counters to settle summonses at National Unity Week in Penang * 'Gay sex party' or HIV outreach programme?: Kelantan deputy MB urges thorough probe * Bursa Malaysia is most likely to continue its upward trend this week * Ringgit to be traded at RM4.24 and RM4.26 range this week; market participants will be closely watching US Fed moves Artistic Swimming - World Aquatics Championships - Team Free Final - World Aquatics Championships Arena, Singapore - Sunday, July 20, 2025; Gold medalists Team China celebrate on the podium with medals and mascots Ollie the Otter. -- Photo: REUTERS/Hollie Adams Singapore: * Two-in-one Singapore airport police robot on trial can patrol and serve as PMD with ride-hailing feature * Malaysia, Singapore to strengthen ties in govtech, housing and public sector reform * One dead, one injured after dispute between neighbours at Yishun HDB block in Singapore * Jobs to morph as AI takes off, according to new report in Singapore * City-state under cyber siege, says Singapore minister * Can Singapore maintain its 'exclusive' concerts going forward? * One in three vapes in Singapore laced with etomidate; Health Ministry working with Home Affairs Ministry to list it as illegal drug: Health Minister Ong Indonesia: * Indonesia begins cloud seeding to tackle Riau haze and worsening forest-land fires * Indonesian coast guard confirms hundreds of passengers saved from ferry fire in Sulawesi; five have been reported dead * Indonesian authorities say haze from Sumatra forest fires detected in Malaysia * Caution's the name of the game as Nafuzi plots upset over Indonesia * Another tragedy at sea in Indonesia - one dead, hundreds evacuated as passenger ship in north Sulawesi * Bali to ban production of plastic sachets in 2026 * From toy to threat: 'Killer kites' bring chaos to Indonesian airspace People unwind and fly kites as they enjoy the sunset in Sidoarjo on Sunday, July 20, 2025. -- Photo by Juni KRISWANTO / AFP Thailand: * Trump, Xi tipped to meet ahead of or during APEC summit in South Korea, SCMP reports * Thai Airways cancels Hong Kong, Guangzhou flights as Typhoon Wipha disrupts travel * Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand warns storm Wipha may delay flights, passengers entitled to refunds * Thai AirAsia flight hit by hailstorm during descent into Chongqing, China * Bangkok's epic name: The longest city name in the world Philippines: * Philippine ask foreign govts to aid Filipinos trapped in Souh-East Asia 'Scam Centres' * Manila crowd cheers Pacquiao comeback, draw and all; veteran comes close in bagging title in improbable comeback * Philippine President Marcos Jr to visit US on Sunday (July 20) amid Trump's 20 per cent tariffs * Three people are dead and another three hurt as Typhoon Wipha lashes the Philippines * Thousands reel from wide Severe Tropical Storm Crising impact in Philippines Filipino boxing fans react while watching a livestream of the WBC welterweight fight between Philippine boxing icon and former senator Manny Pacquiao and WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, at a school gym in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, Sunday, July 20, 2025. -- Photo: REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez Vietnam: * Typhoon Wipha barrels toward Vietnam, sparks response in coastal hotspots * Death toll of Vietnam's cruise ship accident revised to 35, four people still remain missing * Vietnam tour boat survivor grateful to be alive * Tearful relatives await news from Vietnam wreck rescue * Death toll in Vietnam's tourist boat capsizing in storm incident reaches 37, five remain missing Myanmar: * Young girl in Myanmar injured after falling from two-storey building while scrolling TikTok * Cargo ship sinks seven nautical miles off Yangon River, crew safe * Junta chief attends event honouring Suu Kyi's father * Malaysian Juniors warm up for Indonesia clash with cruise over Myanmar at Asian C'ships A mine detection rat with the humanitarian demining organization APOPO works in a landmine field in Siem Reap, Cambodia. -- AP Photo/Anton L. Delgado Cambodia: * Parliamentarians are key to peace and stability in this region, says Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly * Opinion - Cambodian soldiers stand for sovereignty — Thai Troops stumble into shame * Posted then deleted: Cambodian soldier caught on video carrying landmine near border Laos: * Laos wind farm to begin full operation in late August, says Sekong's Deputy Governor * Laos beams with pride as national park gains world heritage status Brunei: * Call to strengthen disability rights in Brunei * Community initiative supports needy families in Belait district, Brunei Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran play a point against China's Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin during their mixed doubles final match on the final day of the Japan Open badminton tournament at Tokyo Gymnasium in Tokyo on Sunday, July 20, 2025. -- Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP AseanPlus: * Hit webtoon 'S Line' turned into drama series, exploring world with visible sexual connections, make its way to Malaysia's Tonton channel * Typhoon Wipha batters Hong Kong as it heads for mainland China; more than 800,000 travellers hit by rescheduling * Japan PM says he intends to stay on even after projected Upper House election defeat, citing tariff talks * Perak one of Malaysia's top durian-producing states, says Saarani * Blackpink makes history as first K-pop group to top Spotify's global weekly chart twice * China's open source AI is 'a catalyst for global progress', Jensen Huang says * China's local governments urged to use legislation 'propeller' to power economy * Beijing scholars map out Taiwan's post-reunification governance, including force * BTS drops first-ever live concert album * South China provinces brace for Typhoon Wipha * Hong Kong issues highest storm alert as Typhoon Wipha moves in * Sri Lanka sacks senior cop over 2019 Easter Sunday bombings * Hong Kong axes flights, classes as Typhoon Wipha nears * 10 killed, nine missing in heavy rains, landslides across South Korea * Saudi Arabia's 'Sleeping Prince' Alwaleed passes away after 20-year coma * 60-year-old farmer in Anhui province, China builds submarine by hand * Grief in Kollam: Kerala student Midhun cremated after electrocution tragedy * Trump revives India-Pakistan conflict claims over jet losses * Air India crash reporting is 'premature', says US probe agency * Contaminated Fukushima soil delivered to PM office * South Korea national security adviser travels to Washington ahead of tariff deadline * Kremlin says Putin is ready to discuss peace in Ukraine but wants to achieve goals * Bear suspected in two fatal attacks years apart in Hokkaido killed; DNA samples link cases * Innovating Asean's urban landscape - Malaysia champions Asean's sustainable, liveable urban future * Editorial: Seoul's mixed messages on Pyongyang will only sow confusion * The UK plans to lower the voting age to 16. Here's what to know * Kindergarten staff arrested after lead poisoning affects 247 children in northwest China * 'The Destination' shines a light on Saudi Arabia's new image as it moves towards a global future * Badminton: Sze Fei-Izzuddin miss chance to make history, set to lose world No. 1 ranking * Badminton: Sze Fei-Izzuddin beaten in Japan Open final / Pearly and Thinaah runners-up in Japan Open final
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Fuziah: No suspension for PKR MPs who called for RCI into judicial appointments
SEREMBAN: No disciplinary action will be taken against the nine PKR members of Parliament who criticised judicial appointments and called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry, PKR secretary-general Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said. According to Fuziah, party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told Negri Sembilan PKR grassroots today that there's no issue of suspension, as the MPs were merely voicing concerns related to the people. "He clarified that these MPs have a right to raise such matters. While criticism should ideally be discussed internally first, it is not grounds for suspension," she said after the event here. Fuziah was speaking after Anwar spent nearly an hour behind closed doors with Negri Sembilan PKR division heads during his Presidential Tour and Party Organisation Strengthening Seminar held at a hotel here. The meeting, attended by some 1,000 party members, also included PKR vice-presidents Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, Chang Lih Kang and Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, as well as Fuziah, women's wing chief Fadhlina Sidek and youth wing chief Muhammad Kamil Munim. Fuziah said the tour is part of a nationwide effort to rebuild unity among grassroots leaders, including those who lost in the party's recent internal polls. "We're not fighting enemies, just having differences among siblings. Unity is key if we want to move forward," she said. Calls had previously emerged from within PKR for action to be taken against Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and eight other MPs over their criticism of appointments in the judiciary.
