We surprised everyone with diesel, we'll do the same with petrol, says Rafizi
The economy minister says the government will proceed with its fuel plan despite concerns about inflation.
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Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli appears unperturbed by the barrage of criticism over the government's act of removing diesel subsidies, saying Putrajaya will proceed to announce a similar move affecting RON95 petrol.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum's summer gathering in Dalian, China, Rafizi however refused to say when the announcement would be made.
"We will keep our cards close to our chest in the same way we surprised everyone with diesel. So we did surprise everyone with diesel, and I think everyone is up for another surprise," he told financial news outlet Bloomberg.
Rafizi also laughed away a question on whether the government would go ahead with its plan to abolish fuel subsidies, and how it would affect inflation in the wake of price hikes.
"I know the question that everyone is now chasing me with is: what next? In Malaysia, we have diesel which is for industry, and you have petrol for citizens.
"For the time being, we are focusing on diesel because the big leakages actually happen with diesel. I think we do need to make sure and learn from the process to improve the overall system."
The price of the RON95 petrol widely used by private vehicles in Malaysia currently stands at RM2.05 a litre.
A subsidy removal for the fuel could see prices going up to RM3.35 a litre.
On June 10, diesel prices in Peninsular Malaysia rose to RM3.35 per litre after months of speculation that the subsidies would be removed.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly claimed that diesel subsidies benefited foreigners and the rich.
The claim has however been challenged by former Umno information chief Isham Jalil, who was once in charge of the fuel subsidy rationalisation plan under former prime minister Najib Razak.
"My question is, who are these foreigners who use diesel cars and motorbikes? Most foreigners don't even have a driving licence. They don't drive cars or motorbikes, and even if they do, they do it illegally.
"The point is that there aren't many of them. As for the rich, how many of them drive luxury cars with diesel engines?" he asked.
Isham also challenged Rafizi's claim of fishermen selling subsidised diesel to foreign vessels
"Rafizi, do you know what you are talking about? (To smuggle) 10 million litres, how many thousand fishing boats are needed to go out to sea?"
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