As he criticized media outlets for reporting on such a move, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticized the country’s ability to make a final decision regarding the timing of the gas payment cuts.
Although there was first discourse, there was no definitive decision regarding the implementation date, so the issue of removing the diesel subsidy was raised. The strategy needs to be explained. After meeting community leaders in Butterworth, Penang on Sunday ( May 5 ), Mr. Anwar told the media that the idea is to avoid burdening the people.
He even criticized “unethical” foreign media coverage of the gas subsidy cuts and attacked recent reports of alleged discussions to build a game in Johor’s Forest City project.
” Maybe because of our strong political attitude, neighboring and international media continue to criticize us in terms of bad information.” For instance, the alleged game development issue ( in Johor )… it was never discussed but it became a popular issue”, he said.
His notes came after Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election in Selangor on May 11 was reported as fuel subsidies may be slashed by June. According to experts, the by-election will examine the dynamics of Mr. Anwar’s unity government against various factions.  ,
According to The Straits Times, citing formal and business publications, gasoline prices may “float to business rates” “in a matter of weeks” after May 11, followed by a gradual rise in gasoline retail prices.
Since gasoline was widely used in those states, Mr. Anwar recently stated that Peninsular Malaysia would receive re-targeted diesel subsidies in phases, while Sabah and Sarawak would not be.
Rafizi Ramli, the minister of economics, stated in November that specific subsidies for gasoline and diesel are likely to be used to implement them this year using various methods, including personal net disposable income.
In mid-April, Mr. Anwar met Genting Group chairman and CEO Lim Kok Thay in Forest City, according to a report from Bloomberg’s news outlet next month. Malaysia’s prince, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor, was even represented.
Following the report, Mr Anwar said plans for the game were” a lie”.  ,
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain announced last Friday that Malay police would also report a declaration from the editor of an unknown English news portal about the story.
According to Mr. Anwar,” We value the press freedom, but information may get based on facts.”
 ,” The data needs to be from credible resources. Especially, as this ( fuel subsidy ) is a matter of policy that requires the government to give notice and make an announcement”, he added.