Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim this morning took a swipe at a certain “ulama with a huge following” for allegedly confusing the public with comments on the oil crisis.
While he did not name names, it is believed Anwar’s criticism targeted PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who yesterday claimed Malaysia had no reason to increase its fuel prices.
In a speech addressing civil servants in Putrajaya, the prime minister said such remarks showed an “obvious shallow knowledge” of the issue.
“…It was shrouded in religious argument and Quranic (verses), making it sound believable to some people.
“But, he is not helping and even confusing (the people),” Anwar said.
The premier elaborated that there are many factors behind the hike in oil prices.
He said that while Malaysia has managed to secure safe passage for its oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, other costs have increased due to the Iran War.
These include insurance charges, which Anwar said have increased to more than 100 percent, and freight fees.
“This means that costs to process the oil that is reaching Pengerang (oil refineries in Johor) have also gone up," he explained.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, further slammed certain politicians who he said were quick to comment on issues but only gave half-truths.
He cited a Quranic verse and pointed out that Islam prohibits creating confusion by mixing the truth with falsehood.
Hadi questions need for price hikes
Yesterday, Hadi, in his latest “Minda Presiden PAS” article, claimed the government did not need to increase fuel prices because Malaysia has its own oil and gas reserves and could source materials from other Islamic countries.
According to the Marang MP, Malaysia was also not among the countries barred by Iran from passing through the strait.
Malaysia has in recent weeks unveiled steep hikes to diesel prices alongside revisions to unsubsidised petrol, as the country faces growing strain from volatile global oil markets.
Last month alone, unsubsidised fuel costs climbed sharply. The diesel price across Peninsular Malaysia surged by up to 80 sen per litre, while unsubsidised RON97 and RON95 followed with considerable increases.
The revisions come against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and the US, as well as mounting threats to maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which a substantial proportion of the world’s oil supply flows.
The ensuing disruptions have pushed global crude prices higher, compounding insurance and freight costs that have hit Malaysia directly, notwithstanding its status as an oil-producing nation.
Domestically, fuel pricing remains a deeply charged issue, given that any upward movement tends to ripple across the broader cost of living, bearing down on everyday essentials such as transport and food, and weighing heavily on the minds of ordinary consumers. - Mkini
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