KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chong Chieng Jen has claimed that his statement on the increment of petrol prices was taken out of context.
On Wednesday, various national news portal quoted him as saying that petrol prices would increase by one or two cents every week during the day’s parliamentary session.
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister said that his statement was only an example as to how the federal government would resolve the hike in petrol prices.
“When I said that the petrol would go up by one or two cents, what I meant was we will be implementing a gradual increase (instead of a sudden hike),” he said when met by reporters when officiating at the handing over of approval letter to SJKC Kai Nang Building Committee here yesterday.
“The gradual implementation would soften the blow to any price hikes worldwide. This was the agreement by the Federal Cabinet,” he added.
On the retraction of the bulk subsidy and the introduction of a targeted subsidy scheme, Chong said the move was necessary to reduce the strain on national coffers.
“As of now, the actual price of RON95 is RM2.30 if you remove the bulk subsidy, but we are introducing targeted subsidy to vehicles owners.
“The federal government would compensate vehicle owners from B40 by giving them RM30 monthly to soften the impact of petrol price hikes as the existing system has too many leakages, meaning the rich would also enjoy the subsidy,” he said.
Chong assured that East Malaysians would remain unaffected by any petrol price hikes.
“For East Malaysia, we have a special deal. We will maintain the present subsidy scheme. This is something extra for Sarawakians, Sabahans and the people of Labuan.
“The maximum price of RON95 will remain at RM2.08 and in the event of any petrol price drop, the prices here will follow suit. The maximum price will stay as it is,” he said.
