Ir Haidel Heli
Pengerusi Dewan Perdagangan Islam Malaysia
Cawangan Sarawak

Islamic chamber of commerce lauds decision to maintain price

Posted on May 28, 2011, Saturday

KUCHING: Sarawak Branch Malaysian Islamic Chamber of Commerce (DPIMCS) welcomed the Barisan Nasional government’s decision to maintain the prices of RON95 petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas for the time being.

Its state chairman Haidel Heli said the decision clearly showed that the government is really concerned about the people’s welfare.

“Many people are going to be affected if the government had decided otherwise because the RON95 petrol and diesel are widely used by the people,” he said.

He added the business community had also been spared from hardship because of the government’s decision.

“On behalf of our members, we wish to thank the government for its decision to maintain the prices,” he said.

Last Wednesday, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the government’s decision in a news conference held at his ministry.

He said the decision was made after an in-depth discussion on subsidy rationalisation during the weekly cabinet meeting on that day.

“The decision was made taking into consideration the interest of the people,” he said, adding the government now has to bear fuel subsidy totalling RM18 billion compared to a mere of RM8.15 billion last year.

Meanwhile the PBB Youth Economy Bereau chief Pandi Suhaili said the government had acted in accordance to the spirit of 1Malaysia when decided not to increase the prices.

“The Barisan Nasional (BN) government has shown to us that it is always concerned about the rakyat despite of the heavy toll on the government’s income because it has to pay RM18 billion for the subsidy,” he said.

He hoped that this would stop the opposition from throwing unfounded accussations against the BN government as being uncaring government.

The price of RON95 petrol is now RM1.90 per litre and diesel at RM1.80 per litre.

LPG is priced at RM1.90 per kg. The last time the prices for these three items were adjusted was in December last year.