The government has allocated about RM20 billion subsidy for essential goods this year, says Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister, Ismail Sabri Yaacob.

He said although it is a burden, the government shoulders the responsibility to reduce the people’s burden, adding the allocation could have been spent on infrastructure projects.

“Malaysians are lucky to get subsidy as many countries don’t give it, resulting in high price of goods thus burdening their people,” he said when presenting Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia to 1,800 people of Bera parliamentary constituency in Bera yesterday.

Ismail, who is also Member of Parliament for Bera, said the government spent more than RM17 billion subsidy for essential goods last year.

“The government will continue to give subsidy although the amount keeps increasing annually.

“This year, RM17 billion subsidy has been allocated for petroleum and gas, RM1.2 billion for cooking oil, RM567 million for sugar and RM150.09 million for wheat flour,” he added.

- Bernama