SUNGAI PETANI: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated he does not agree with suggestions to increase fuel prices, at a time when the country is facing a global supply crisis.
Anwar said the government would instead continue to try to cover the cost of fuel subsidies, although at a large cost every month, to avoid burdening the people.
“When the price of oil rose, we paid RM5 billion, RM3 billion a month. Then it went up to RM7 billion a month, now it has gone down to RM4 billion,” he said when launching a Rakan Muda event here today.
The prime minister said that although the amount was high, the government could cover it through taking austerity measures in addition to stopping the leakage of national funds.
Anwar also rejected a proposal that the government to take out loans or go into debt to enable it to continue meeting the cost of oil subsidies.
“I can go into debt now, but after I will leave the government, the next generation of children will have bear it. That is why the solution is not debt, so we do what we can,” he said.
Anwar said the government’s move has enabled Malaysians to enjoy petrol prices which are among the lowest in the world. (Subsidised RON95 petrol is sold at RM1.99 per litre, while the pump price of RON95 is RM3.72 per litre.
