The government will consider increasing the fuel subsidy if the unrest in the Middle East, which has driven up global oil prices, continues.
“We will review (the subsidy), I cannot say what will happen in the future but at the moment we have no plans to increase oil prices,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak after chairing an Umno supreme council meeting at Menara Datuk Onn here, yesterday.
He said the government allocated RM10.3 billion for fuel subsidy in this year’s budget.
“If there are no changes (to the situation in the Middle East), our subsidy will increase significantly.
“We will monitor the situation in the Middle East but so far, we have no plans to increase the price of RON 95 while RON 97 floats according to the market price. The price of RON 95 is controlled by the government according to the amount of subsidy.
“Whatever decision we make, we’ll take into account the burden on the people which is our top priority even though we have to allocate a huge subsidy.” He said if the situation in the Middle East were to improve, chances are crude oil prices would go down and that would bring down the price of RON 97.
“That is what we promised. We only control the price of RON 95.” On comparisons between Middle East countries and Malaysia, Najib reiterated his stance that there should not be.
“We cannot make a parallel comparison with the uprising in the Middle East because the situation here is different. I consider this a Facebook revolution, where the young generation use technology as a tool to mobilise an uprising.
“This happened because there was dissatisfaction among the people especially the young. We must give weight, if the feeling of dissatisfaction festers among the youth, they will act because they have the energy to fight for change.” Najib said comparisons should also not be made because in Malaysia, the support for the Barisan Nasional government was increasing.
“The proof is in the ballot box. A post-mortem of the Tenang by-election showed increased confidence in the government and Barisan Nasional.
However, it is crucial for us to continue strengthening party machinery and overcome any weaknesses because we can’t take political challenges lightly.” Asked whether he was confident that the upward trend for BN would carry into the 13th general election, Najib opted to be cautious.
“What will happen during the next general election depends on the situation when it is called, but the current trend bodes well for us.” On tomorrow’s proposed rally by the Human Rights Party and the banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) over the use of the Interlok textbook in schools, Najib said the police should take appropriate action according to the law.
He said the Indians in Malaysia had no need for banned organisations like Hindraf.
“What is important is to take care of the welfare of the Indian community so that they will not need Hindraf.”
