ONE wonders what could be the best way for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to convince detractors that they have to eventually bite the bullet first before there is any respite in the global energy crisis stemming from the on-going Middle East conflict.
In a special address last night (April 1), PMX alluded to his conversations with leaders of Iran, Turkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states having pointed to one stark reality – the situation will get worse before it gets better.
He further contended that the expenditure to cushion the impact of the global energy crisis has reached RM4 bil to date while PETRONAS has helped ensure there will be sufficient oil and gas supplies until at least May.
Moreover, the Madani government has taken various measures to ensure undisrupted energy supply, the economy remains stable and the welfare of the rakyat continues to be protected. They include:
National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meetings to convene more frequently with the involvement of industry representatives, fishermen, farmers and related sectors to formulate follow-up actions;
Cancellation of Federal-level Aidilfitri open houses as a cost-saving measure;
Adjustment of BUDI95 quota to 200 litres/month as a temporary measure;
Enforcement of subsidised diesel filling limits in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan; and
Implementation of the (public sector) work from home (WFH) policy beginning April 15 to reduce fuel consumption.
This was when PMX hit out as an “act of sabotage and betrayal to the country” those who spread fake news about the price of fuel and other goods to create confusion with the intention to gain cheap political gains and narrow political survival.
Urging the public to be more discerning in sourcing for news on the subject, PMX lamented:
“We’ve no choice but to get the authorities whether it’s PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police) or the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) to take action with the latter having detected 96 fake news content on the price of fuel and electricity on media social.”
Record diesel price hike
Interestingly, just prior to PMX’s special message, the Finance Ministry (MOF) has unveiled another shocker to especially individual 4×4 pick-up truckers as retail price of diesel in Peninsular Malaysia continues its spiral by a further 50 sen to a record RM6.02/litre for the April 2-8 period.
However, the retail price of non-subsidised RON97 petrol under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) will be reduced by 20 sen to RM4.95/litre while the retail price for RON95 petrol will remain at RM3.87/litre.
“The on-going global energy crisis has led to a surge in global Brent crude oil prices of more than 40% to surpass US$100/barrel,” justified MOF in a statement.
“More critically, the price of refined products for petrol and diesel has also soared to US$150/ barrel and US$250/barrel respectively, thus putting pressure on retail prices for both products.”
In all fairness, PMX might have stated his grounds but the hard truth is that patience on the ground especially among micro business owners who do not possess fleet card has thinned as diesel is seemingly the ‘lifeblood’ of any commercial operations.
Politically, not only is the price disparity between diesel price in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah/Sarawak which continue to enjoy the subsidised RM2.15/litre rate widening, the more pressing concern among B40 and M40 groups is inflationary pressure with an eventual spike in cost of living.
This has prompted Madani critic Datuk Eric See-To to question “how could diesel prices jump by over 112% – from RM2.84 to RM6.02 – in just two months without any effort to slow the increase”.
“At the same time, global LNG (liquefied natural gas) prices have surged much higher than oil prices with PETRONAS expected to enjoy huge profits,” the former Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communication deputy director revealed in his Facebook page.
“So the question is where is this windfall going and why isn’t it being used in part to slow or control diesel prices?”
Like it or not, the oft-dubbed loyalist of disgraced former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak has expressed a sentiment which resonate with man-on-the-street Malaysians – perhaps the Madani administration should emulate its regional counterparts in their management of energy sources, in particular diesel.
“It’s not that the rakyat don’t understand economics. But if prices rise too quickly without control, the impact will be felt on food, logistics and the cost of living. Enough with the excuses. The rakyat want action.”
As it is, PUTRA (Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia) president Datuk Ibrahim Ali has urged Malaysians to join a peaceful rally to protest the fuel price hike on April 5 (Sunday) in front of SOGO Kuala Lumpur.
- focus malaysia
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