PETALING JAYA, Dec 3 — The government will decide on Dec 10 whether to implement a float system or floor price for petrol and diesel, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad said today.
He said members of the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) would meet on that day to discuss the matter as they were unable to do so during their last meeting on Monday.
According to reports, the decision on the mechanism to fix fuel prices could not be discussed at the NEAC meeting in Putrajaya then as the focus was on the country’s security situation.
Shahrir said having a floating management system for fuel prices would only be beneficial when the prices of crude oil were low.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday announced that the pump price of petrol and diesel will be down by 10 sen a litre from today.
The RON97 petrol is now sold at RM1.90 per litre from RM2 and RON92 at RM1.80 per litre from RM1.90 while diesel is retailed at RM1.80 per litre from RM1.90.
On the refusal of some traders to reduce the prices of goods, Shahrir said the government could only control the prices of specific products.
“The price reduction campaign needs the cooperation of manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Up to now we have received close cooperation as those involved understand this is the way to promote economic growth,” he said.
At the Parliament lobby, Shahrir said petrol would continue to be under price control. He added that oil companies and service station operators should sell it according to price fixed.
“As long as petrol is under price control, it is the government that fixes the retail and wholesale prices,” he told reporters.
He was asked to comment on a suggestion by Petaling Jaya Utara Member of Parliament Tony Pua for oil companies to fix a price lower than the ceiling price to promote competition. —Bernama
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We shall allow the petrol companies to fight it out.
Next, please go after those manufaturers and producers of essential goods. For example, Gardenia bread has increased its bread between RM0.20 to RM1.00 per loaf. Their premium bread is selling at RM4.00 per loaf ! The price of rice, flour. Children school transport fees. All basic stuff that affects the ordinary rakyat have gone up tremendously. We should be able to list out the price before and after. Go after the producers and give them the ultimantum to reduce prices. Then build the mechanism of free float on those essential stuff. Make them fight it out.
Thank you.