Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the government deserves time to complete its mandate, defends fuel prices and invites the opposition to propose alternatives.
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said the government should be given time to complete its mandate until the next general election after an opposition MP challenged him over fuel prices and called for Parliament to be dissolved.
Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) questioned why non-subsidised diesel had reached RM4.70 per litre when Brent crude was around US$80 a barrel, contrasting it with the administration of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, when crude prices had climbed as high as US$139 a barrel.
He also asked whether Anwar would dissolve Parliament amid economic and political uncertainty, as well as the unresolved Strait of Hormuz crisis.
“On listening to the people, we do listen to them. I believe the people also want stability and they want the economy to grow.
“They do not want us to be engaged in politics all the time. So give us time. We have a mandate until the next election, and then we can contest again. I have no problem with that.
“Just do not be too confident. I do not want to be overconfident either, and I think Hulu Terengganu should not be too confident,” Anwar said during Prime Minister’s Question Time.
Defending the government’s fuel policy, Anwar said he had fulfilled his earlier pledge to keep Malaysian pump prices below those in oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
“When we previously called for petrol prices to be reduced to RM1.50, the price in Saudi Arabia was also around RM1.50.
“Today, our price is RM1.99, while the price in Saudi Arabia is more than RM2.40. Qatar and even the United Arab Emirates raised fuel prices two months ago, although the UAE is a major oil and gas producer.
“This is the economic reality that has changed. If it is said that I once promised Malaysia’s fuel prices should be lower than Saudi Arabia’s, that has been fulfilled,” he said.
Anwar said comparisons with previous administrations must also take into account the higher overall assistance now provided through programmes including Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), targeted RON95 support and Budi Diesel.
“From the standpoint of overall funding, assistance is now much higher. This includes STR and SARA, RON95 support and Budi Diesel.
“The overall assistance is far higher than before, although I do not want to make a direct comparison because the circumstances may have been different,” he said.
Anwar added that the government remained open to alternative proposals for lowering prices and had never claimed to possess every solution to the country’s economic challenges.
“We listen to companies, smallholders and other parties before making adjustments wherever possible.
“If Hulu Terengganu has another proposal on how prices can be reduced, I can consider it. I have no problem listening,” he said.
