by AZREEN HANI / pic by TMR FILE 

PAS urges for a special parliamentary session to be held to discuss the rising cost of living.

The party’s information chief Khairil Nizam Khiruddin said this micro issue should be discussed across political divides to seek views and proposals from the lawmakers in their respective constituencies.

“PAS is upholding His Majesty the Yang Dipertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah who called on all parties to work together in a democratic manner to find a solution for the country’s problem,” he said in a statement.

As such, he proposed for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to hold joint discussions with all leaders of political parties to find the best solutions in addressing the rise in living costs as well as prices of goods.

The Islamic party also suggested a targeted monthly cash assistance through IC or e-wallet to be channelled to the low income and middle income groups.

“The government needs to collect and distribute wealth fairly and equitably. This monthly cash assistance will help ease the burden of the people who are clearly affected due to the rising prices of goods and the rising cost of living,” he said.

Yesterday, Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal proposed that subsidies be re-allocated and revamped to target deserving households.

At the same time, he said that a review of excesses, starting with the Cabinet and allowances at the government-linked companies, must be carried out swiftly.

“I would suggest not just a 25% cut of their salaries and allowances, but the number of ministers and deputy ministers to be reduced by half,” he added.

The former Sabah chief minister also called for fair taxation, with the expansion of tax revenue.

The government will stop subsidising bottled cooking oil (2kg, 3kg and 5kg) effective July 1, but cooking oil sold in 1kg poly bags will continue to be subsidised.

The new ceiling price for chicken will be announced soon, although there will be no more ceiling prices for chicken eggs starting this Friday.

Simultaneously, Ismail Sabri also announced an increase in the Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia cash aid following the rising cost of goods.