00:00Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is considering calling for a general election in the third
00:06quarter as his government weighs politically sensitive cuts to fuel subsidies amid the
00:11global energy crunch, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
00:15Anwar, whose term ends in early 2028, is weighing elections by October,
00:21provided his government isn't forced to further trim subsidies. Before then,
00:25the people said, asking not to be identified as the information isn't public, Bloomberg reported.
00:31However, the considerations remain at an early stage and no final decision has been made.
00:38Anwar's office and the finance ministry did not respond to requests for comments.
00:43Policymakers in the country are already preparing for a more targeted approach in subsidies
00:48as soon as the second half of the year, as they expect global energy costs will remain elevated
00:54from the war in Iran, the people said.
00:56Adeb Zalkapli, founder of Viewfinder Global Affairs, said the best time to dissolve parliament would be
01:03before the government is forced to raise subsidized fuel prices, adding that difficult decisions such
01:09as fuel price hikes could be made after securing a fresh mandate.
01:13I'm Naranthal Rajo, FMT.
01:15I'm Naranthal Rajo, FMT.
01:15It's not a building.
01:15They're working towards shaking.
01:15We're on, we're on a día.
01:16Inback Coastal'snelle.
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