Sarawak to study impact of fuel subsidy rationalisation on housing sector

Sarawak Housing Ministry would study the impact of the latest fuel subsidy rationalisation on the state housing sector, said its minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

"We will monitor the impact of the subsidy reduction. Undoubtedly, there would be a slight impact on inflation but I am sure the government would have a certain mechanism to regulate the implications of the subsidy reduction," he said.

He said the government's rationale to reduce the fuel subsidy by 20 sen was to generate savings and utilise it to help the people in the low-income bracket.

Abang Johari spoke to reporters after officiating at the SPM Principles of Accounting and Career Workshop 2014 gathering organised by the Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) here Saturday.

Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak Tourism Minister, remained positive that Budget 2015, to be announced on Friday, would benefit the people and hoped that Sarawak and Sabah would receive more allocations, particularly for rural development.

"We hope that with the rationalisation of the fuel subsidy, a bigger budget would be channelled to Sarawak and Sabah.

"I also hope that there would be good news for the housing sector as prices are increasing dramatically.

"We want houses to be affordable for people from the middle- and low-income groups because if they cannot afford to buy houses, the ongoing development projects by the government would fail to reach the targeted groups," he said.