ID :
26572
Sat, 10/25/2008 - 20:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/26572
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PETROL AND DIESEL PRICE TO FOLLOW WORLD MARKET PRICES, SAYS DPM
PEKAN (Malaysia), Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak
Saturday said that the government could be reducing further the prices of petrol
and diesel end of this month in line with the easing world oil price.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said that the Cabinet was leaving it
to the Economic Council exco chaired by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to
make the decision on the new prices.
"Please just wait. We had promised that if world oil price comes down, the
prices of petrol and diesel will reflect the real price of oil," he told
reporters at his residence here, the capital of east coast state of Pahang,
after handing over contributions to those preparing to go on their Haj
pilgrimage from the Pekan parliament area.
Asked if there was a possibility of the government announcing the new
petrol
and diesel prices on October 30 or November 1 as said in a statement issued by
Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Shahrir Abdul Samad Friday,
Najib said: "I cannot say so but normally we don't take long to
decide. It could be around there (the date for announcing the new prices)
depending on the meeting."
The price of fuel has gone down three times since August, the first being
on
Aug 23, then Sept 24 and the latest on October 15. The price of Ron97 petrol
came down from RM2.70 a litre to RM2.55, RM2.45 and RM2.30 while Ron92 petrol
came down from RM2.62 a litre to RM2.40, RM2.30 and RM2.20. Diesel meanwhile
came down from RM2.58 a litre to RM2.50, RM2.40 and RM2.20.
On the trend that the prices of goods were not co-relating with the
declining prices of petrol and diesel, he said the government was taking several
measures to tackle the problem.
"We have taken several measures including working together with
hypermarkets
and producers. Owners of hypermarkets have agreed to reduce the prices of
several goods and products and the announcements will be made in the next few
days," he said.
On the effect of the declining commodity prices like crude palm oil and
rubber to settlers, Najib said the government has given the assurance that the
income of the settlers will not go below RM1,000 a month.
"Prior to this, they were getting a high average (income) of between
RM3,000 and RM4,000 (a month)," he said.
He also expressed hope that the settlers practised the habit of saving,
adding that this will give them some reserves when facing the period of low
prices.
"We also have taken the measure to give bonus which I announced (before
this) -- a bonus of RM700 to RM2,000 this December. Other measures have been to
encourage the participation of settlers in other activities like trading,
handiwork, farming and others, and not just depending on oil palm and rubber for
their income," he said.
Najib also said he will be announcing at the Parliament on November 4 the
government measures taken to face the ongoing global economic crisis.
-- BERNAMA
Saturday said that the government could be reducing further the prices of petrol
and diesel end of this month in line with the easing world oil price.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said that the Cabinet was leaving it
to the Economic Council exco chaired by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to
make the decision on the new prices.
"Please just wait. We had promised that if world oil price comes down, the
prices of petrol and diesel will reflect the real price of oil," he told
reporters at his residence here, the capital of east coast state of Pahang,
after handing over contributions to those preparing to go on their Haj
pilgrimage from the Pekan parliament area.
Asked if there was a possibility of the government announcing the new
petrol
and diesel prices on October 30 or November 1 as said in a statement issued by
Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Shahrir Abdul Samad Friday,
Najib said: "I cannot say so but normally we don't take long to
decide. It could be around there (the date for announcing the new prices)
depending on the meeting."
The price of fuel has gone down three times since August, the first being
on
Aug 23, then Sept 24 and the latest on October 15. The price of Ron97 petrol
came down from RM2.70 a litre to RM2.55, RM2.45 and RM2.30 while Ron92 petrol
came down from RM2.62 a litre to RM2.40, RM2.30 and RM2.20. Diesel meanwhile
came down from RM2.58 a litre to RM2.50, RM2.40 and RM2.20.
On the trend that the prices of goods were not co-relating with the
declining prices of petrol and diesel, he said the government was taking several
measures to tackle the problem.
"We have taken several measures including working together with
hypermarkets
and producers. Owners of hypermarkets have agreed to reduce the prices of
several goods and products and the announcements will be made in the next few
days," he said.
On the effect of the declining commodity prices like crude palm oil and
rubber to settlers, Najib said the government has given the assurance that the
income of the settlers will not go below RM1,000 a month.
"Prior to this, they were getting a high average (income) of between
RM3,000 and RM4,000 (a month)," he said.
He also expressed hope that the settlers practised the habit of saving,
adding that this will give them some reserves when facing the period of low
prices.
"We also have taken the measure to give bonus which I announced (before
this) -- a bonus of RM700 to RM2,000 this December. Other measures have been to
encourage the participation of settlers in other activities like trading,
handiwork, farming and others, and not just depending on oil palm and rubber for
their income," he said.
Najib also said he will be announcing at the Parliament on November 4 the
government measures taken to face the ongoing global economic crisis.
-- BERNAMA
