Fuel prices down by 10sen

PUTRAJAYA: The government has cut the prices of RON97 and RON92 petrol, and diesel by 10 sen each to RM2.45, RM2.30 and RM2.40 per litre respectively.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, who made the announcement here on Wednesday, said the prices will be effective from Thursday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said on Tuesday that the Cabinet would discuss the price of fuel when it met today

‘’It is better we discuss first on matters related to fuel and subsidies. I don’t want to give any impression on the matter (whether there will be lower pump prices).

‘’If necessary, we will make an announcement,’’ he told reporters after chairing the second Economic Council meeting on Tuesday.

Abdullah was commenting on speculation that the Government might lower fuel prices a few days before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

The previous reduction in fuel prices was on Aug 23, when the price of petrol was reduced by 15 sen per litre from RM2.70 while the price of diesel was cut by 8sen to RM2.50 a litre.

On June 4, the Government had announced a 78-sen increase in the price of petrol to RM2.70 a litre and a RM1 increase in diesel to RM2.58 a litre, stating that it could no longer continue to subsidise fuel.

On Aug 1, Abdullah said the petrol price would be reviewed monthly from Sept 1 based on the average global market price and the subsidy will be fixed at 30 sen a litre.

He also gave an assurance that the petrol price would not exceed RM2.70 a litre for this year, even if the global market price went up.

Star Online
24/09/08

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