The tale of the "uncomfortable" RON 95

Few weeks back, it was announced - almost unannounced actually - that RON 95 would costs the consumers RM1.90 per litre - up by 5 sen from RM1.85.

This was reported in NST on 4 December 2010 at pg.8 under the heading "Price revision for RON 95 and sugar". It was said that this was the second wave of subsidy rationalisation and to made effective 4 December 2010. Apart from RON 95, diesel and LPG also experienced a hike so as sugar.

The move was made after Datuk Seri Idris Jala had earlier said that the rationalisation of these four (4)consumer goods would enable the government to reduce its subsidy expenditure, which stood at RM1.18 billion.

I am not an economist and have no comment on this. The only thing which struck me something is "going up" was when weeks earlier i.e. on 12 November 2010 to be exact, I read Sarawak Tribune which quoted the Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr. Awang Adek as saying "the price of RON 95 petrol would not be increased for a certain period of time so as to allow the people to feel comfortable with the current price."

The Deputy Minister was further quoted as saying the above when winding up debate on the Supply Bill 2011 for his ministry at the Dewan Rakyat on 11 November 2010.

This is so typical of Malaysian politician/minister, they would say things which are politically correct but not totally correct in reality - at least in the eyes of the Rakyat. I am not saying he is lying but judge it yourself .... To the Deputy Minister, I would say that he's only managed to make the Rakyat feel comfortable with the said fuel price for only about slightly more than 3 weeks' or so ....

Till we meet again & please do not feel comfortable with anything which came out from the politicians' mouth .....