PKR ablaze, Gerakan replies with 'cheap' shot
MalaysiaKini.com
Oct 2, 2014

The midnight increase has fueled PKR Youth's anger but Gerakan Youth attempted to extinguish the fire raging across the nation by claiming that Malaysians still enjoy among the cheapest RON 95 petrol in the world.

PKR Youth leader Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (right) said the livelihood of many Malaysians - from urban workers who need to get to work to fishermen heading out to sea - is dependent on fuel being affordable.

He said this is compounded by the fact that better public transportation remains a distant reality for most urban Malaysians.

Moreover, he added the upcoming imposition of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) meant that the price of fuel would soon become an unbearable burden for most middle to low income Malaysians.

“It's likely these groups who will be hit the hardest. This is ample proof that the federal government’s claim that Malaysians are now enjoying a better standard of living is a cruel joke,” he said in a statement.

In a sarcastic swipe, Nik Nazmi described the 20 sen increase in prices for RON 95 petrol and diesel as a “gift” to the people.

Meanwhile, Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang (right) in his response to the criticism against the government, tweeted: “RON 95 petrol is still one of the cheapest in the world. This is a fact.”

“Public transport is the long term solution for unpredictable fuel prices. Expand it further,” he added.

Nazmi added that the petrol hike was a side-effect of the federal government's failure in financial management. 

He said instead, they should be looking to reduce financial wastage occurring in the privatisation of contracts, as well as plugging financial leaks before they burdened the people further.

Petrol producer

Meanwhile, PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat queried the hiking up of petrol and diesel prices when Malaysia is a petrol producer itself.

"How is it that Malaysia produces its own petrol but the people are still burdened with the hikes?"

He said that the government’s move in giving out Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M) cash hand-outs was mere eye-wash that would only benefit the people in the short term.

Suhaizan added that the fuel hike would start a domino effect that would result in the price hike of other products as well.

"The increase in price of fuel will mean that the prices for other products will be raised as well."

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