PM Anwar Ibrahim says only 15% of the population is impacted by higher market diesel prices, with most protected by government subsidies.
KOTA BHARU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that 85% of Malaysians remain unaffected by market diesel prices as they continue to benefit from government-subsidised rates.
He explained that only 15% of the population is impacted by the fuel price increase linked to the global energy crisis.
Anwar highlighted this during the opening ceremony of the new terminal at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP). He questioned the media focus on the affected minority while the protected majority goes unmentioned.
“For the transport sector, the government provides exemptions for school buses and certain strategic transport lorries,” said Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister.
He also addressed claims from a state legislative assembly that fishermen are affected by rising market diesel prices.
“Fishermen use subsidised diesel prices, not market diesel prices,” he emphasised, urging critics not to use that example.
Separately, the Ministry of Finance confirmed current fuel prices for the period of April 16 to 22.
Subsidised RON95 under the BUDI MADANI programme remains at RM1.99 per litre.
Unsubsidised retail prices for RON95 and RON97 have each dropped by 25 sen to RM4.02 and RM5.10 per litre respectively.
Unsubsidised diesel has dropped by 75 sen to RM5.97 per litre for the same period.
