PUTRAJAYA (April 2): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Thursday said the government will not tolerate any trader attempting to use the conflict in West Asia as an excuse to raise prices indiscriminately. The government, he said, has allocated RM54.7 billion this year for social assistance, subsidies, and income-boosting initiatives. “Considering developments in West Asia, the total subsidy allocation is expected to increase to further support the population,” he said. Currently, over 13.7 million Malaysians are benefiting from 60 social assistance programmes nationwide, with more than half receiving at least two forms of aid. He emphasised that citizens have the right to accurate information to make informed decisions in their daily lives.

Source: The Edge Markets April 02, 2026 09:22 UTC