KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 -- DAP's Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng has urged the government to accompany austerity measures with a moratorium on tax hikes, regulatory costs and compliance burdens, alongside targeted subsidies for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) struggling with rising operational expenses.

Lim noted that while Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's austerity package maintained the Budi95 fuel subsidy, restricted overseas travel and cancelled Hari Raya open houses, he stressed the measures were insufficient to shield vulnerable groups and industries.

"Austerity measures should be accompanied by a moratorium on increased taxes, regulatory and compliance costs as well as targeted subsidies for Micro Small and Medium enter...