Published: Wednesday September 2, 2009 MYT 4:15:00 PM
RON95 price: Most consumers not affected, says minister
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: The majority of consumers would be unaffected by the five-sen increase in RON95 petrol to RM1.80 per litre as only some stations were selling it before Sept 1.
Domestic Trade, Co-operative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that prior to Tuesday, only 1,445 outlets out of 3,500 petrol station nationwide sold the petrol and the sale was done in stages since May.
“Technically, they (consumers) are unaffected. When RON95 started being sold nationwide from Tuesday onwards, the public were still forking out the same amount of money for petrol.
“The earlier price was RM1.75 per litre because ROM97 was then sold at RM1.80,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
RON95 petrol is available at all pumps now, replacing RON97 which, now sold at RM2.05 per litre, has been upgraded to a premium product.
The introduction of RON95 is also in line with plans to phase out the cheaper RON92 petrol.
Ismail Sabri said the public was upset with the five-sen increase because they “were confused, when in actual fact, they continue to pay the same amount for petrol.”
“The government continues to subsidise petrol and spends RM304mil a month just for this purpose. It subsidises nine sen per litre so that the public pays only RM1.80 per litre at the pumps.
“I hope consumers are now clear on this matter. Irresponsible parties must not take the opportunity to spark anger and confusion among the public when the Government has not increased the petrol price,” he said.
Ismail Sabri also announced that the wholesale and retail ceiling prices for 17 food items has been fixed for Hari Raya Aidilfitri so that consumers need not dig deeper into their pockets to enjoy the festivities.
He said three new items were included in the list -- imported garlic, ground nuts and potatoes -- alongside items such as chicken, eggs, round cabbage, red chilli, tomatoes, coconut and shallots.
The ceiling prices would take effect for 15 days beginning Sept 13 and the prices vary from place to place as matters such as transportation cost needed to be taken into account.
“The prices were determined based on monitoring conducted between April and August, views from Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry, Fama, the Veterinary Services Department and discussions with importers, wholesalers, suppliers and retailers,” he said.
He said enforcement officers would conduct checks to ensure retailers and wholesalers abide by the ceiling price rule, reminding them to stick pink-coloured price tags on the goods involved.
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