PUTRAJAYA, Oct 8 — The government is reviewing the National Strategic Plan to Combat the Double Burden of Malnutrition Among Children before making a full announcement on its implementation, said Unity Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who is also communications minister, said the Cabinet today received the latest report from the Health Ministry, Education Ministry, and the Cabinet committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on efforts and plans to address the issue.
He said there were several matters, such as the supplementary food programme and different schooling sessions (morning and afternoon), that must be looked into in a holistic manner.
“This is a very important issue that is close to the heart of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and we hope that by the time the Parliament session resumes, we will see some positive developments, particularly in managing this issue,” he said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting press conference here today.
On the proposal to stop education subsidies for the children of wealthy families, Fahmi said no decision was made on the matter at today’s Cabinet meeting.
“We haven’t made a decision yet, and it is still under review. There are a few key principles we are generally considering in how we handle this issue.
“For example, with the issue of electricity subsidies, we emphasised that 85 per cent of users in Peninsular Malaysia won’t be affected by any increases, so we can take that as one guiding principle.
“However, in matters like education, it’s not the same as electricity, which is consumption-based. In education, we might need to consider other factors. At this time, no decision has been made, and it is still at the discussion stage,” he explained.
Previously, the media reported the government was considering halting education subsidies for children of the wealthy at public universities, a move that would only be implemented with Cabinet approval.
— Bernama
