The term “T15” has been a major talking point in the wake of the government’s decision to slash RON95 petrol subsidies for the country’s top 15% of earners by the middle of next year. There’s been a lot of contention regarding the income threshold for those who fit this bracket, which prime minister Anwar Ibrahim called “maha kaya” during the tabling of Budget 2025 earlier this month.
Not surprising, given that nobody wants to be paying more for fuel – and Sibu MP Oscar Ling has now called on the government to revise the said threshold to include only households earning more than RM30,000 per month in the T15 bracket. This change is needed, he said, to take into account the rising cost of living due to inflation, The Star reported.
“I believe the definition of high-income earners should be realigned, and it would be more appropriate if those earning over RM30,000 are classified as such,” he said when debating the Supply Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Ling added that current economic conditions, especially inflation, must be considered when categorising these household income groups. “With the high cost of education in private institutions and rising healthcare costs, categorising those earning below RM30,000 as high income would place an undue burden on them,” he said.
He urged the government consider how the high cost of living affects different income brackets, in particular those who earn just short of the RM30,000 mark who might struggle to cope with educational and healthcare expenses without the subsidies.
This comes after MCA president and Ayer Hitam MP Wee Ka Siong raised a similar issue on TikTok, saying it was unfair to categorise those in the T15 bracket as “ultra rich” based solely on their household earnings, given that some may not be millionaires and may not even be particularly wealthy.
“Take, for example, a married couple who are both teachers at the DG48 level, having taught for 15 years, with a combined income of around RM14,000 a month,” he said. “They own a house, two cars and have three children. Similarly, a couple who are both civil servants or PTD officers are also classified as T15 ultra-wealthy. Is this logical?”
Wee added that those working in statutory bodies or government-linked companies (GLCs) – where salaries are usually higher than in the government sector – could also be classified as T15. Based on the Household Income Survey and Household Income and Expenditure Survey in the open data system by the Statistics Department, T15 is defined as having a household income of RM13,925 and above as of 2022. Wee instead advocated targeting RON95 subsidies based on how expensive the vehicle is.
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Oscar and wee ka siong will make better finance and economy ministers than the junks we have right now
They are just part of the subjects
when in power = not intelligent
when not in power = intelligent
This is true for most politicians except some politicians in rural area.
Wee had his chance, but failed. Oscar.. possible.
In Queen’s English lesson…my wife was teaching…
Dumb
Dumber
Dumbest..not any other description,that befits Mr.Surprise…u know him by now.
The cabinet should be discussing,not let Mr.Formula tokok with trojan horses joining.
Just disgusting appalling and utterly unacceptable.
How many earning > RM30K actually declaring it to LHDN?
Plentiful earning no lesser than RM30K plus incurring debts no lesser than RM900K. hihi
Refer my name
this “T-15”, “T-30” thingy is a really dumb idea – how exactly the govt and fuel station gonna implement the plan accurately ??? what about the ultra rich “T-1” and should they pay more to subsidize the poor ??? do the rakyat have to expose their income group every time they pump petrol ??? what if the super cars are fueled by drivers who have lower incomes ???
the best way is to do is by car types or models – after all , the govt shouldnt forget that the “T-15” or “T-30” pay taxes too, and fyi, they pay even more – so as long as they are not using gas guzzlers, why cant they enjoy a bit of perks from the govt as well ???
malaysia seems to be running out of thoughtful, intelligent ppl and this issue is creating a lot of confusion, anger or acrimony among the rakyat – malaysian govt should be extremely mindful and careful about how they implement or present policies to the rakyat especially when it comes to this kind of socially conflicting and rich-poor dividing initiatives – a harmonious society is NOT built on oppositional, divisive or even discriminating mindsets which this fuel $$$ thingy is apparently instigating …
For the first time i agree Wee Ka siong suggestion… You want buy luxury brand car.. okay… higher petrol price.. want face then pump non-subsisdy petrol… be it first hand or second hand or even third hand luxury car…
no need to think so hard… just remove stacking of pensions by MP and ministers, Malaysia can save a lot.
OK thats too stretch, 30K/m definitely rich already…can easily afford luxury car and live comfortably.
20k should be the max per household
Higher taxes for higher income, same fuel price for all. Improve public transport . A household may have 2 or 10 people in one. A household of 10 people with 30k income is not rich.
bila petrol banyak lak bunyi , disel 100k dah tak dapat sub senyap je.
How much considered luxury car? >RM100k?
To all idiots, if all of us no need to pay income tax, I am not given subsidiary and only to the B40, I have no issue at all. But now, I am paying the highest tax percentage and help you (Anwar) to buy vote? You thought my money drops from sky?
Indeed
Some t15 forced to buy expensive house and incurred huge debt. They probably have many kids to take care of. Most send their kids to good schools which is private school.
Apa benefit kami yang bayar cukai ni kalau xde subsidy
Maintain subsidy, step up strict enforcement, monitor all petrol stations especially at borders. Charge foreign registered cars/vehicles levy of rm300 for every entry.
Government doing all this to tax the rich right?
Why not just go and ask those with 3-4 houses but all park under spouse name where they get their money from?
The most of us makan gaji and still pay more taxes than people buying multi-million ringgit cars.
Higher taxes for higher income, same fuel price for all. Improve public transport
Those who are not earning big but drive luxury cars (no idea where the hell they get those money) must never be allowed to pump subsidized Ron 95…
Whereas those multi millionaire who choose to drive small car like proton saga should be allowed to pump subsidized Ron 95