PUTRAJAYA, July 11 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated his commitment to tackling cartels and monopolies in Malaysia, citing them as a critical priority ahead of the upcoming Budget 2025. Addressing concerns over the persistent challenges of rising living costs during a dialogue session at the Finance Ministry, Anwar emphasized the need for structural reforms to ensure fair distribution of economic benefits. “While essentials like oil, flour, and sugar remain comparatively affordable, the burden of living costs continues to weigh on our citizens,” Anwar acknowledged.
“Our focus is on dismantling cartels and monopolies to redirect profits towards the people through direct grants and targeted government assistance, thereby enhancing sectors crucial to public welfare such as education and healthcare.” Anwar outlined plans to bolster both foreign and domestic trade volumes in Budget 2025, alongside ongoing efforts to streamline government functions for greater efficiency and transparency. The forthcoming budget aims to position Malaysia as a leading economy in Asia, building on initiatives launched in previous fiscal years to promote sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.
