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

Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan emphasized the importance of clear explanations for government policies during the Khazanah Megatrends Forum in Kuala Lumpur. He provided an example of the subsidy rationalization policy, stating that the government had managed to balance its budget and implement fiscal reforms while ensuring public understanding of the decisions made.

Hamzah highlighted that over two years of subsidy rationalization had not led to any riots, underscoring the effectiveness of clear communication. He stressed that clarity is crucial for policy acceptance. At the forum, Khazanah Nasional Bhd's Managing Director Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir and Board Member Nungsari Ahmad Radhi were also present.

Hamzah addressed the government's decision-making process, acknowledging the difficulty in making tough choices for the public good. He acknowledged that certain trade-offs are unavoidable and that the recipients of such decisions must understand the rationale behind them. Hamzah concluded by stressing that government decisions have long-lasting impacts, and should never be made hastily.

He used an example of a policy affecting only 10% of the population, noting that even a small percentage can dramatically impact 3.4 million people in Malaysia.