Is a Targeted Fuel and Cooking Oil Subsidy the Solution to High Subsidy Bills?

Oil prices increased more than 40% on a year to date basis and the Malaysian government's oil subsidies have skyrocketed to RM2bn just for the month of January alone. The government is studying a more targeted fuel and cooking oil subsidy mechanism. But will a targeted fuel and cooking oil subsidy mechanism effective in optimising our resources? Dr. Juita Mohamad, Director of Economics and Business and Acting Research Director of Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) shares her perspective with us. Image credit: