Price increase draws criticism
KUALA LUMPUR: Lower- and middle-income earners will be hit hard by the increases in fuel prices, transport and consumer groups said.
“Inflationary pressures are already burdening them and the fuel price increases will further pin them down and force them into debt to make ends meet,” said Transport Workers Union general secretary Zainal Rampak.
“Oil companies, Petronas in particular, are making huge profits (RM38bil in 2003) selling our petroleum at market prices abroad.
“These companies should be helping the Government stabilise domestic fuel prices and not cash in on the global trend of inflated fuel prices,” he said.
Business at petrol stations yesterday was comparatively slower than the night before when motorists rushed to fill their tanks after the announcement was made at 8pm.
“Sales will probably fall as people will be more cost-conscious when buying fuel now,” said petrol station manager Freida Razali.
However, petrol station assistant manager Abdul Aziz Abdullah, 60, believes that even with the higher prices, petrol and diesel are still cheaper in Malaysia than in many neighbouring countries.
Contractor Chong Kooi Choong, 56, who travels daily between Putrajaya and Sungai Buloh, said: “I think everyone is suffering under the new price scheme.”
Finance executive Ken Lai, 35, who spends up to RM200 a week on petrol, said the Government should reduce taxes if they wanted to increase fuel prices.
Engineer Tony Chong, 24, said he would have to plan his trips more carefully as he travels as far as Kedah and Johor several days a week on work.
Automobile Association of Malaysia chairman Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha suggested that the Government consider proportionately lowering the road tax for all vehicles with each increase in the price of petrol and diesel.
Master Builders Association of Malaysia secretary-general Yap Yoke Keong said the initial feeling in the industry concerning the petrol and diesel price rise was “not good.”
“Many industries rely on lorries for transporting their products, so there could be a chain effect on every industry.
“We will wait to get feedback from our members first,” he said.
Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry president K. Pardip Kumar said the tendency to increase the cost of other goods and services with rising fuel prices has to stop.
Related Stories:
Government to monitor reaction over petrol price rise
Government to cushion impact of fuel price rise
Rural farmers feeling the pinch of fuel price rise
News Poll
- Teacher held for oral sex on Year Two girl
- Lau sought psychiatrist’s help after death of fan’s dad
- Police shoot dead leader of ‘Berong Gang’
- Australian court sentences Malaysian who posed as taxi driver
- Prime Minister comes up with plan to end crisis in MCA
- Fresh polls in six to eight months if new mechanism used
- Eli’s ex still being sought by cops
- Settle RM57, 5As pupil told High scorer can’t collect result slip
- Ong’s political secretary resigns
- The Star goes to Sarawak
- 10 states see increase in number of dengue cases
- Teacher held for oral sex on Year Two girl
- AirAsia launches new flights to three Indian cities
- Australian court sentences Malaysian who posed as taxi driver
- Lau sought psychiatrist’s help after death of fan’s dad
- Prime Minister comes up with plan to end crisis in MCA
- Take care of yourself first
- Police shoot dead leader of ‘Berong Gang’
- Ministry sets eyes on ‘Sealegs’
- MACC accepts court decision
RSS
