Clarity vital to ensure acceptance of ‘tough’ policies, says Amir Hamzah

Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan emphasized the importance of providing clear explanations for policies during the Khazanah Megatrends Forum in Kuala Lumpur. He cited the rationalization of subsidies as a prime example of the government successfully balancing its books and implementing fiscal reforms while ensuring public understanding.

Amir noted that over two years of subsidy rationalization has not sparked any riots, showcasing the effectiveness of their approach. He stressed that clarity within the government's decision-making process is crucial to gaining public acceptance.

The managing director of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, and board member Nungsari Ahmad Radhi were also in attendance. When asked about handling tough decisions for the public's benefit, Amir acknowledged that certain decisions, including trade-offs, would not be easy.

He explained that trade-offs work when the recipients or beneficiaries comprehend the reasons behind them. Amir stressed that any government decision should not be made impulsively, as its long-lasting impact could significantly affect people's lives. He used the example of a policy impacting only 10% of the population, which amounts to 3.4 million people, to illustrate the potential scale of change.