SHAH ALAM, 3 June: Barisan Nasional (BN) has been urged to present all the details regarding the new petrol and diesel subsidy system being rumoured, in addition to discussing it in Parliament before any decision is taken.
The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Director of Stretegy, Rafizi Ramli, said that this is to ensure that the decision to be implemented will not have profound impact on the people of this country.
He said that any drastic changes to the prices of petrol and diesel will certainly have a multiplier effect on the prices of goods, especially since the people are facing various increases in goods, especially since salary has not successfully been increased.
“The people should be given enough time, at least a year, to provide their views before the new petrol and diesel subsidy system comes in effect by taking into consideration the plight faced by the people due to the hike in price of petrol, electricity, sugar and other essential goods.
“I often warn BN that any decision concerning the welfare of the people needs to be discussed and the general view should be taken into consideration so that the decision does not ignore the desires of the people,” he said in a statement.
Rafizi, the Member of Parliament for Pandan, said that a black market for petrol and diesel might emerge if the new subsidy system is not refined and openly discussed.
He said that this would certainly pose new problems that are larger than the existing trafficking because it would involve more people and ordinary citizens.
“If that happens, the group allowed to buy petrol and diesel at the subsidised price can buy on a regular basis and keep it, then sell it to agents in the black market at a higher price.
“Agents from this black market would then sell this petrol and diesel at a lower price than the market price to companies, manufacturers or individuals who want to get it at a low price.
“This is certainly not worth it when compared to the hardship faced by the people due to the rising fuel prices and the impact of rising prices of goods, when the leakages from the petrol and diesel subsidies, which is the reason to change the system, is more prevalent,” he said.
The media previously reported that the BN government is currently finalising a new subsidy system for petrol and diesel for specific groups, according to income levels.
So far, the report mentioned that the income being considered is RM5,000 and below, while individuals earning over RM10,000 a month needs to buy it at the market price.
