MCA today voiced support for the subsidy rationalisation exercise for fuel and sugar as part of the government's move to reduce the budget deficits and to focus on helping the needy and poor.

Its deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the exercise was also necessary to curb smuggling of resources to neighbouring countries.

"MCA hopes that the subsidy policy implemented will focus on the ordinary people and benefit Malaysian citizens as a whole. Subsidies are meant to help poor Malaysians, yet many foreigners continue to take advantage of this price gap.

"We, as a nation, must brace ourselves for these adjustments. Such changes will oblige us to change our consumption and lifestyle but we are assured that, although inevitable, the changes will be made gradually to ensure that they do not become disruptive to businesses or a heavy burden to consumers," he said in a statement, here.

Liow, who is also Health Minister, said the Barisan Nasional government focused primarily on the welfare of the people and continued to be a considerate and caring government.

"MCA believes that this is a prudent exercise and the savings from the subsidy rationalisation will be ploughed back to the people to benefit them.

"We must ensure that the wealth of the nation remains sustainable for future generations," he said.

- Bernama