KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 —The fuel subsidy including cash rebate paid to vehicle owners for the first six months amounted to RM10.25 billion, higher than the RM8.77 billion subsidy for the whole of last year, Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad said of the amount, RM4.006 billion was for petrol, RM5.056 billion for diesel and RM1.1188 billion for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
"This is because of the steep oil price hike globally. With the oil price touching US$140 per barrel, the government subsidy will reach RM30 billion annually," he said when winding up debate on the Mid-Term Review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
To a question by Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) who feared that the oil price debate between Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek would cause more confusion, Shahrir said it was something good.
He said unlike debates in university, it would be structured with a chairman and a question-and-answer session from members of the media.
"This does not mean that they can take advantage by creating confusion. It will be properly done so that the audience will benefit."
Shahrir was confident that Shabery would be able to explain the issue based on facts and allayed fears that Anwar would use the platform to attack the government.
The minister said he would also be attending the debate to be held at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka here today.
On the use of NGV, the minister said it was government policy to encourage public transport to switch to the alternative fuel to save cost.
He said like petrol and diesel, the price of NGV would not be increased until year-end although its price was supposed to be half that of petrol. — Bernama
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