Vital to tackle rising living costs, say delegates

DELEGATES at the Umno General Assembly 2017 are calling for more measures to be put in place to tackle the effects of rising living costs on the rakyat.

Praising the Government for continuing to give out the 1Malaysia People’s Aid or BR1M to the needy, Federal Territories representative Datuk Rizalman Mokhtar urged the ministries and agencies to act quickly against those profiteering.

The rakyat, he said, was watching how the Government would put in place interim measures to tackle the rising cost of living.

He said if problems related to rising living costs were not tackled, the party would face an uphill task of winning the hearts of the voters in the general election.

“The people are watching. “Even Umno members who are giving away free petrol and aid through various programmes to the rakyat are feeling the pinch,” he said, adding that it was not as if members were getting discounts for food or fuel.

“Something must be done about it and it must start now. Otherwise, we are going to face serious problems winning the hearts of the people,” he said during debate.

Ammar Adnan, a student council representative from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, suggested that fuel subsidies be given to undergraduates as a way of helping them cope with rising living costs.

“Fuel subsidies should be given to those riding motorcycles with below 150cc engines. This can help ease our financial burden.

“The subsidies can be debited into the Bank Rakyat Mahasiswa card to be used only to fuel up at Petronas gas stations,” said Ammar.

— Bernama All geared up Some of the delegates from Puchong Umno attending the Umno General Assembly 2017 at the Putra World Trade Centre in traditional Malay warrior ensemble, complete with the ‘ tengkolok’ (male headgear). The party is in battle mode for the 14th general election, expected to be called early next year.