Deputy Minister of Economy, Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib announced in a parliamentary session yesterday that the federal government has allocated almost RM13 billion to address the rising cost of living.
The allocation will fund immediate assistance programs such as the Rahmah Cash Donation and the Rahmah Umbrella initiative, which will receive a total of RM300 million.
As part of the long-term plan, the government will focus on increasing wages, with the minimum wage increasing to RM1,700 effective February 2025.
In addition, incentives for strategic investments and support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are expected to open up new job opportunities for more Malaysians.
But with millions of people still struggling with the slowly rising cost of living, is this huge allocation enough to change lives or just a number on paper?
