IPP subsidies cannot be removed, says MCA President

YANG BENAR: Dalam pada rakyat menikmati subsidi petrol semakin sedikit, MCA tidak mahu kerajaan mengurangkan subsidi berbilion ringgit kepada industri pengeluar tenaga (IPP) dengan alasan perjanjian subsidi sudah dimeterai.
  Atas nama pembangunan, rakyat perlu menanggung beban kemelesetan ekonomi bersendirian manakala industri pula mencari alasan tidak mahu menanggung beban itu bersama rakyat.
  Buktinya, MCA secara terus terang memberi amaran kepada kerajaan supaya jangan menyekat subsidi kepada industri tenaga. Kenyataan berikut jelas mempamerkan sikap kapitalis.


KUALA LUMPUR — The government cannot remove billion-ringgit subsidies for independent power producers (IPPs) as it is tied up in agreements with them, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said today.
  The DAP has said that the government would only spur inflation by removing the diesel super subsidy before cutting “big opium” gas subsidies worth RM19 billion for IPPs and commercial power sectors.
  “Because the government is tied up in a lot of agreements, this (subsidy) cannot just be abolished,” 
  “Then Malaysia will be recognised in the world as one government who does not honour its agreement. That’s wrong,” Chua said.
  He said some of the agreements were due to lapse and the government could then start negotiations.