Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has indicated that a special gesture of appreciation for the people is expected to be announced imminently, either tomorrow or Wednesday. The announcement follows a recent Unity Government retreat in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, where discussions were held to address public concerns and government policies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar explained that the retreat was an opportunity to understand public issues better, prompting him to consider changes and announcements aimed at alleviating these concerns. Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly, he emphasized the need for careful review before making any announcements.

In a statement made on July 19 in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Anwar hinted that the forthcoming appreciation announcement would involve government measures to tackle the rising cost of living. He acknowledged that while policies are planned at the federal level, there is often a disconnect between these plans and the reality experienced by the people.

Anwar addressed claims regarding the burden of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) and base electricity tariffs on the public, dismissing them as distortions. He clarified that the revised tariffs introduced by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) are aimed at high-profit industries and do not impact domestic users. The new tariff structure, he noted, has led to a 19 percent reduction in electricity costs for the majority of users.

Anwar further explained that the revised electricity tariffs include additional reductions for consumption during non-peak hours, emphasizing that there has been no increase in overall electricity costs. The adjustments have resulted in a decrease from 55.95 sen (Rp3) to 45.40 sen (Rp4), providing relief for most users.