PM: I know you're angry
The Star – 11 March 2006
PUTRAJAYA: Admitting he was aware that people were angry over the Government’s decision to increase fuel prices, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he would announce soon measures to lessen the burden of those adversely affected.  
The Prime Minister said the Government had to make a decision, which it knew was not going to be popular. But, he added, it was an action that could not be avoided.  
“People are angry. Yes, I know,” he said when launching the Public Complaints Bureau’s public opinion polls at the Putrajaya Convention Centre here yesterday.  
”It is not something that the Government derives pleasure from. But it is our responsibility to determine the best action during a certain time.  However, I am also aware there are those who are exploiting the issue for political mileage.” 
“The Government is responsible for ensuring that the effects of the increase on the public will not be adverse.”  Asked later at a press conference, the Prime Minister declined to reveal the measures or when they would be announced.  
“We have yet to decide whether to make the announcement before or after the tabling of the Ninth Malaysia Plan,” he added.  Abdullah said he was also aware of websites and poison-pen letters that were distorting facts about the price increase.  
“The poison-pen letters which I have read are completely untrue. The opposition parties are clearly exploiting the fuel price increase for political gain.”  Regarding Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) proposal to increase electricity tariffs, the Prime Minister said that while the Government understood TNB’s reason for seeking an increase, it would have to think carefully how this would affect the people.  
“We have not made any decision yet. We need to think of the effects on the people, especially at this moment,” he said.   
“It was the same thing when we decided to reduce the fuel subsidy. Fuel prices would rise but we determined the amount of increase so that we could cushion the impact a bit.”   
On the sharing of domestic routes between Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, Abdullah said it had not been finalised. The Transport Minister and the two airlines would make another presentation to him before a final decision was made. 
Source: The Star | http://thestar.com.my