ID :
35705
Mon, 12/15/2008 - 16:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/35705
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ANOTHER DROP IN PETROL PRICE SOON, SAYS MINISTER
PENANG (Malaysia), Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The retail price of petrol and
diesel is expected to drop further soon following the drop in the global oil
price,
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad said
Sunday.
He said currently there was still room for reducing the fuel price and the
government usually reviewed the price at the beginning or middle of the month
before making an announcement.
However, he did not say by how much the price would go down and when it
would be annnounced, when launching a "Price Reduction" campaign at the Sunshine
Supermarket in Bayan Baru in this northern island state.
On Dec 3, the prime minister announced the drop in RON97 petrol pump price
by 10 sen from RM2 to RM1.90 per litre, and RON97 and diesel from RM1.90 to
RM1.80 per litre.
Asked further about the matter at a press conference later, Shahrir said
because of increasingly cheaper petrol and diesel, the fuel subsidy could be
removed while the people should not be expecting government subsidy
forever.
"A subsidy is only given when the price of a commodity is high so as not to
burden consumers and also to stimulate the economy. But when the price is low,
there's no need for subsidy to be given," he said.
Asked on the request by the Federation of Taxi and Hired Car Associations
Penang for the government to review the petrol subsidy of RM1.92 per litre,
Shahrir advised them not to use the fleet card anymore.
He said the taxi drivers should get petrol at the pump price and the
subsidy
should no longer be given, and besides, based on records, there had been no
requests from taxis for sudsidy to be given to a level of RM1 per litre.
On efforts to reduce prices of goods, Shahrir said all quarters, including
state governments and the local authorities, must cooperate to make the campaign
a success and not just leave it to the government and ministry.
"Efforts to reduce prices should not be politicised as the opposition
(state) governments also have the responsibility of caring for the welfare of
the people," he said. (US$1=RM3.60)
-- BERNAMA
diesel is expected to drop further soon following the drop in the global oil
price,
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad said
Sunday.
He said currently there was still room for reducing the fuel price and the
government usually reviewed the price at the beginning or middle of the month
before making an announcement.
However, he did not say by how much the price would go down and when it
would be annnounced, when launching a "Price Reduction" campaign at the Sunshine
Supermarket in Bayan Baru in this northern island state.
On Dec 3, the prime minister announced the drop in RON97 petrol pump price
by 10 sen from RM2 to RM1.90 per litre, and RON97 and diesel from RM1.90 to
RM1.80 per litre.
Asked further about the matter at a press conference later, Shahrir said
because of increasingly cheaper petrol and diesel, the fuel subsidy could be
removed while the people should not be expecting government subsidy
forever.
"A subsidy is only given when the price of a commodity is high so as not to
burden consumers and also to stimulate the economy. But when the price is low,
there's no need for subsidy to be given," he said.
Asked on the request by the Federation of Taxi and Hired Car Associations
Penang for the government to review the petrol subsidy of RM1.92 per litre,
Shahrir advised them not to use the fleet card anymore.
He said the taxi drivers should get petrol at the pump price and the
subsidy
should no longer be given, and besides, based on records, there had been no
requests from taxis for sudsidy to be given to a level of RM1 per litre.
On efforts to reduce prices of goods, Shahrir said all quarters, including
state governments and the local authorities, must cooperate to make the campaign
a success and not just leave it to the government and ministry.
"Efforts to reduce prices should not be politicised as the opposition
(state) governments also have the responsibility of caring for the welfare of
the people," he said. (US$1=RM3.60)
-- BERNAMA
