PRICE HIKES INEVITABLE - MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- The price hikes for petrol and diesel are
inevitable because of surging prices in the world market, said Deputy Domestic
Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Tan Lian Hoe.

She said the Malaysian government was trying to make it as painless as
possible by introducing incremental increases in the prices of the fuels.

"The five sen increase is very minimal as compared to the skyrocketing
prices in the world market. The government is forced to spent billions in
subsidising these fuels," she told Bernama when met a Gerakan function at Menara
PGRM here Friday night.

Tan, who is also Gerakan Wanita chief, was commenting on the government's
subsidy reduction by five sen per litre of RON 95 petrol and diesel and a
kilogramme of cooking gas besides 20 sen for a kilogramme of sugar, which take
effect at midnight tonight.

Following the revision, RON95 petrol will cost RM1.90 a litre, diesel RM1.80
a litre, LPG RM1.90 a kilogramme and sugar RM2.10 a kilogramme.

Also present was Gerakan president Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who is also
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.(US$1=RM3.14)

Malaysian People's Movement Party or Gerakan in English) is a political
party in Malaysia. It is a part of the ruling National Front (Barisan Nasional
-BN) coalition.

-- BERNAMA