Is 5 right?

An action is an action, deliberate, clear, brilliant, selfish or hasty. There was a time when we were given some kind of refund as the price of petrol soared beyond imagination. We get it when we renew roadtax, maximum of 5 vehicles. Then we walk down the street, and check casually how many cars and motorcycles per household. Not many in Sabak Bernam , Kota Tinggi, Rembau or Padang Rengas. Too bad, most of us are not very familiar with Bukit Tunku... over there 5 is about right.

Fuel prices reduced by another 10sen, Malaysia.

Petrol and diesel prices will be reduced by another 10 sen from Tuesday.

The price of RON97 petrol is now RM1.80, while RON92 is selling at RM1.70 a litre. The pump price of diesel now stands at RM1.70 a litre.

In a statement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the reduction in the fuel prices was in accordance with the drop in the global crude oil price.

The retail price of petrol and diesel had been gradually lowered from its high of RM2.70 and RM2.58 respectively in June.

Fuel prices reduced by another 10sen
Malaysia Star

Malaysia Ends Fuel Subsidies, Maybe For Good

KUALA LUMPUR: Every time a Malaysian motorist pumps petrol into his car these days, the government makes a profit of 30 sen (8 US cents) for every litre. This is a dramatic switch from just months ago when every drop was subsidised by the government.

The old system of government fuel subsidies has been removed, thanks to the sharp falls in global oil prices in recent months, officials say.

The Malaysian government now says that it is considering scrapping the fuel subsidies even if global crude oil prices were to rise again.

"We have stopped subsidising petrol from the time when the pump prices were cut to RM2 per litre," domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Shahrir Samad said on Tuesday (18 Nov).

At current prices, the government makes about 30 sen for every litre of petrol sold at fuel stations.

The government on Tuesday cut pump prices by 7% to RM2 per litre for unleaded petrol.

But many Malaysians were unaware of the profit that the government is making.

Now that more people know about it, they want the government to reduce the price of petrol further or to bring the subsidies back.

"I don't understand why they don't cut prices further. Does it mean that we are now subsidising the government?" asked 30-year-old executive Leong Wan Yen.

Internet chatter shows the same unhappiness as citizens ask for cheaper fuel to compensate for the ever-increasing prices of goods and services.

The prices of things, from chicken rice to schoolbooks, have jumped due to the 41% hike in fuel prices implemented by the government in June.

The hike pushed Malaysian inflation to 27-year highs in the following months.

But while many Malaysians are unhappy, economists say the money saved from fuel subsidies could be used for development projects such as building schools.

Before the June cut, for every ringgit of government expenditure, 30 sen was channelled to fuel subsidies. Now, economists estimate that the savings on subsidies next year could total more than RM10 billion.

Still, the government is facing pressure to lower pump prices.

"The federal government should reduce the price of petrol further to RM1.62 per litre so that the people need not pay extra and at higher prices than (in) the open market," opposition leader Lim Guan Eng was quoted as saying by the Malaysiakini online news.

Shahrir said the government would decide by the end of the month whether or not to reinstate the subsidies if global oil prices went up again. (By HAZLIN HASSAN/ The Straits Times/ ANN)

Malaysia Ends Fuel Subsidies, Maybe For Good
Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia

Gas stations advised to have enough petrol supply

PETALING JAYA: Petrol station operators should ensure enough petrol supply to avoid a recurrence of stations running dry, said Petroleum Dealers’ Association of Malaysia acting president Abdul Wahid Bidin.

“This is to ensure that the operators are not penalised under the Control of Supplies Act,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

He said the association hoped the Government would consider various proposals submitted to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to lessen the burden of the operators due to fluctuations in the price of petrol.

“The operators are incurring losses every time the petrol price is reduced.

“The last four reductions have affected the operators very badly.

“That is why a few dealers have taken steps to reduce their losses, resulting in petrol running out in certain areas of the country,” he said.

He also said the delivery schedule of petrol was the sole responsibility of the oil companies.

He urged the oil companies to distribute their supply efficiently based on the daily sales volume to ensure their operators had sufficient supply.

New fuel rebate system next year, says Shahrir

PUTRAJAYA: A new rebate system will be introduced next year to replace the present cash rebate given to eligible vehicle owners.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad said the Government would have to rethink the rebate system as the people were unhappy with the current one.

“This is the feedback we have got. There are people who are satisfied with the rebate system introduced in June but many are not happy.

“We have yet to decide on a new system. We are still discussing, and toying with ideas and suggestions before deciding,” he told a press conference yesterday.

When the Government increased fuel prices in June, it also announced that private vehicles with engine capacity of up to 2,000cc as well as pick-up trucks and jeeps with engine capacity of 2,500cc would be given a rebate of RM625 a year per vehicle.

It also announced that owners of motorcycles with engine capacity of 250cc would be given a rebate of RM150 per motorcycle a year, from April 1 to March 31, 2009.

Shahrir said that between April and September, the Government had paid out RM2.5bil in rebate payments and it had five months to plan a new and better system.

On another matter, the minister said the floor price for petrol in the country should not be lower than RM1.92 per litre, where pump prices are “reasonable without having to be subsidised”.

He said the price could be achieved if world crude oil prices were between US$65 and US$70 per barrel, adding that last month’s average price was US$76.44 per barrel.

“The RM1.92 per litre price at pumps is merely my view. I believe we should try to reduce or even stop forking out money for fuel subsidy and use it instead for development and economic purposes.

“Despite the decline in global fuel price, the subsidy the Government has to fork out is still substantial.”

Shahrir said that when the Government announced the petrol price of RM2.70 per litre in June, the amount of subsidy spent on fuel alone was RM1.97bil while July and August saw a decline in subsidy payment of RM1.95bil and RM1.42bil respectively.

New fuel rebate system next year, says Shahrir
Malaysia Star, Malaysia

Najib: Local fuel price to be lowered

The Cabinet has give the go-ahead to reduce the pump price of fuel soon in view of the continuing decline in global oil prices, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

”We promised that if the global oil price goes down, the domestic fuel price will reflect the actual price market.

”So, just give the Government some time to make the decision. The Cabinet has already given the mandate to the economy council exco chaired by the Prime Minister to make the decision,” he told reporters at his residence on Saturday after presenting gifts to 180 recipients who would be performing the haj in Mecca.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister and Pekan MP, was asked to comment about the oil price which had continued to fall and registered about US$62 per barrel on Friday.

On when the new price would be announced, Najib said the people would not have to wait that long.

”It can be within a week, depending on when the meeting will be held,” he added.

To another question related to the price of essential items which did not reflect the decline in oil price, Najib said the prices of certain goods and products would be reduced in a day or two.

He added that several hypermarket owners had agreed to work together with the Government on this matter.

On whether the global recession would hit Malaysia, Najib replied: ”Can you wait for Nov 4? I will come up with a complete response.”

On Nov 4, Najib is expected to list measures to buffer the country from the impact of the current global financial crisis during his winding up speech in Parliament.

When asked about the global crude palm oil slipping to RM1,500 per tonne recently, Najib said the income of Felda land scheme settlers would definitely be lower.

However, they had earlier enjoyed very high incomes, generating between RM3,000 and RM4,000 monthly, he said, adding, he hoped that they had set aside some of the cash as savings.

He also said the RM144.44mil productivity incentive bonus that they would get in December would help to weather the hard times and that they would receive between RM700 and RM2,000 each. ”We have also given the assurance that their income will not be lower than RM1,000.

”We will also encourage them to venture into non-farming activities such as business, handicrafts and growing vegetables so that they will not be financially only dependent on palm oil or rubber trees,” he said.

As for smallholders, Najib said the Government would have to look into ways to help stabilise the price.

This matter was expected to be discussed by the Cabinet Committee on palm oil soon and might eventually involve other countries, he added.

Meanwhile, in Johor Baru Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said the expected reduction of petrol prices at the end of the month would not be more than 15sen.

"We do not want a big reduction in petrol prices resulting in huge losses suffered by petrol station operators nationwide. "That is why we are reducing it gradually but sooner or later we will reach a reasonable price for the consumers," he told pressmen after launching the Financial Awareness Week or dubbed the M2K fair on Saturday.

He explained that it was the government's intention to reduce petrol prices as soon as possible but such a move must be done gradually and accordingly so that everybody reaped the benefits.

"We must take into account the consequences of a huge reduction that could have a negative impact on the operators. "The present method in reducing the petrol prices gradually will not disrupt the country's oil industry," he said.

He also said there was no reason for transport cost for bus or lorry companies to increase as diesel was sold to the companies at a subsidised price of RM1.43.

In fact, 70% of diesel sale was sold at the subsidised price.

Express, school and intercity buses as well as lorry companies were presently reaping benefits of the subsidised price, he said.

Najib: Local fuel price to be lowered
Malaysia Star, Malaysia

Malaysia Cuts Fuel Prices Ahead of Schedule as Inflation Soars

By Stephanie Phang and Ranjeetha Pakiam

Aug. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Malaysia cut fuel prices earlier than planned after inflation accelerated to the fastest pace in more than 26 years in July and threatened to further stoke public discontent against the government.

``The Cabinet decided to hasten the implementation of the new petrol-price adjustments today,'' Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a release today. ``This decision was made after taking into account the decline in global oil prices in recent weeks and the increase in the inflation rate in July.''

Consumer prices rose 8.5 percent from a year earlier, after a 7.7 percent gain in June, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad told reporters today in Putrajaya. Economists were expecting a 7.8 percent increase.

Voter anger over rising prices contributed to opposition gains in March elections that deprived Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of his two-thirds majority in parliament. Former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim will run for a seat in a by-election next week in a bid to return to the legislature for the first time in a decade and oust the government.

``Undoubtedly, inflation is adding to the woes of the government,'' said Kit Wei Zheng, an economist at Citigroup Inc. in Singapore. ``This is not helped by the fact that at least some of the current inflation pressures are perceived to be inflicted by government policies.''

Thousands gathered at a July 6 rally to protest a 41 percent increase in retail gasoline prices the government announced in June to trim subsidies that keep pump costs artificially low. Diesel prices went up 63 percent at the same time, and electricity rates rose in July.

Fuel Prices

Abdullah today announced a 5.6 percent cut in gasoline prices and a 3.1 percent reduction in diesel costs effective tomorrow, bringing forward a plan to start monthly adjustments in September that would fix local gasoline prices at 30 sen (9 U.S. cents) below market rates per liter.

RON97 gasoline will cost 2.55 ringgit a liter tomorrow, down 15 sen, and diesel will be priced at 2.50 ringgit a liter, 8 sen cheaper than the current price. The price of gasoline won't exceed 2.70 ringgit a liter this year, Abdullah said.

The move will have an impact on inflation in the coming months, Shahrir said. The Cabinet sped up the fuel-price cut to help ease the burden of consumers and reduce inflationary pressure, Abdullah said.

The cut in fuel prices will help to ``stabilize'' the inflation rate in August and September and reduce pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates, Ho Woei Chen, an economist at United Overseas Bank Ltd., said in a note after the announcements today.

Monetary Policy

``We now expect Bank Negara Malaysia to maintain its overnight policy rate at 3.5 percent at the August meeting despite the surge in inflation in July,'' Ho said. With the reduction in fuel prices, ``it is even more unlikely that Bank Negara will hike its interest rates after failing to do so earlier.''

Eight of the 12 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News expect the central bank to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Aug. 25.

Bank Negara, which hasn't raised borrowing costs since April 2006, unexpectedly refrained from increasing the overnight policy rate last month, saying its immediate concern is to avoid a ``fundamental economic slowdown'' even as it raised this year's inflation forecast to a range of 5.5 percent to 6 percent. Slowing growth amid a weakening global economy will cause inflation to ease in the second half of 2009, it said.

In keeping the key rate at 3.5 percent, Bank Negara broke with central banks in neighboring Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, all of whom have tightened monetary policy this year to fight soaring oil and food prices.

To contact the reporters on this story: Stephanie Phang in Kuala Lumpur at sphang@bloomberg.net; Ranjeetha Pakiam in Kuala Lumpur at rpakiam@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: August 22, 2008 08:08 EDT

SHAHRIR: Trial runs for supply system

BANGI: Several trial runs will be carried out to help the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry find the best way to supply essential items at low cost to the public.

Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, who said this, added that the first study would be in Seberang Prai Utara this month, and two more were planned for an urban and a rural location later on.

The direct distribution mechanism would be implemented nationwide by next year if the tests proved it to be effective, he told reporters after opening the Malaysian Consumer and Family Economics Association’s 12th national conference at Universiti Tenaga Nasional yesterday.

Shahrir said the results from the trial runs would enable the Government to find out the most efficient way to distribute price-controlled essential items and food supplies to the public, especially low-income consumers in the rural areas.

Among subsidised items that would be included in the study were ST15 Super Tempatan 15% broken rice, flour, cooking oil and bread, he said.

Shahrir said a bread company has been asked to help transport the items from the manufacturers to the shops.

“My theory is that the bread-distribution method is the most efficient supply system for both the urban and rural areas,” he added.

“If distribution costs can be reduced, consumers will be able to purchase subsidised goods at controlled prices, and have adequate supply.

“The new system will help address the problems of uneven supply and price fluctuation of such items, especially in the rural areas.”

On fuel prices, Shahrir welcomed a suggestion to implement a fortnightly review.

However, he said, the Government would allow the monthly review of the pump prices to go on first before implementing other measures.

“The monthly review is the first mechanism to keep up with price fluctuations in the oil market,” he said. “If we can resolve technical problems or fine-tune the system, maybe we may use the fortnightly system after that.”

Shahrir was commenting on the call by Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon on Monday for a more frequent fuel price review.

CLICK HERE: Trial runs for supply system
Malaysia Star, Malaysia

BURSA MALAYSIA: Share Prices To Remain Volatile Next Week Amid ...

Bernama, Malaysia - 9 hours ago
He also gave the assurance that the retail price of petrol will not exceed RM2.70 a litre this year. "While the overall sentiment remain cautious, ... BURSA MALAYSIA: Share Prices To Remain Volatile Next Week Amid ...

John Piccolo: U.S. needs to get more oil out of ground

Sen. Barack Obama is correct when criticizing Sen. John McCain for demanding immediate drilling for oil off our shores. He declared that new drilling will not lower the price of gas today. That is correct.

However, neither will any of the ideas Obama has brought forth. The truth is new drilling started today would lower gas prices 10 years in the future from what they would be since it takes 10 years from start of drilling, building the infrastructure to collect and refine the crude, and delivering it to your local gas station.

The United States has one of the largest coal and gas reserves in the world. We can now burn coal as cleanly as oil and gas. Start burning coal in power plants. Start burning natural gas. Start building nuclear plants. Start drilling!

Gasoline conservation is a fraud relative to reducing oil requirements. Current estimates are that oil demand is estimated to grow 83 percent by 2020. No amount of gasoline conservation will prevent that.

More oil must be brought out of the ground. That is until coal, natural gas and atomic energy are used in place of oil, thus mitigating demand. Stop shipping our Alaskan oil to Asia and other countries. No oil from any United States property or possession should ship anywhere but here.

Let the other countries get caught up in the commodities speculation.

John Piccolo: US needs to get more oil out of ground
The News-Press, FL

crude oil price: worldwide.

Oil prices decline to USD 123.26
Myiris.com, India - 30 minutes ago
Crude oil prices declined to lowest point in weeks on Friday (July 25) on speculation that the prices will fall more showing how badly demand has declined ...

Transparency Sought as Speculators' Activity in Oil Market Grows
Washington Post, United States - 25 minutes ago
... have already opined in recent weeks and months that speculators are not having an impact on the record rise in crude oil prices," Chilton said in an ...

Saudi Aramco to sell 41 pct more crude oil to Sinopec this year
Trading Markets (press release), CA - 14 minutes ago
BEIJING, Jul 28, 2008 (XFN-ASIA via COMTEX) -- SNP | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Saudi Aramco is expected to sell 41 pct more crude oil to China

Russian oil deliveries to China down 19.5 pct in H1 - Russian ...
Interfax China, China - 14 minutes ago
INTERFAX - Deliveries of Russian crude oil and oil product to China declined 19.5 percent in natural terms in the first half of 2008, Sergei Tsyplakov,

Earnings: ExxonMobil, Starbucks, and More
BusinessWeek - 12 minutes ago
Crude oil hit a record above $147 per barrel in early July, but oil now trades above $123, a 16% decline. Georges Yared, president of Yared Investment

Oil rises towards $124
Reuters UK, UK - 11 minutes ago
But analysts said worries of slowing fuel demand, which have dragged crude prices down from their record peak of over $147 a barrel on July 11, continued to ...

Shares higher in mid-trade on positive overseas leads
Inquirer.net, Philippines - 8 minutes ago
A barrel of light sweet crude fell $2.23 to settle at $123.26 on the New York Mercantile Exchange last Friday. Oil prices have fallen more than $20 in ...

BERITADARIGUNUNG

Review only when oil price drops further or stabilises, says Shahrir

KUALA LUMPUR: Oil prices must stabilise or drop further before the Government can consider reducing pump prices, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said.

Shahrir said a review of domestic fuel prices depended on how consistent the price reduction remained despite the global crude oil price falling from a high of US$147 (RM470.40) to below US$125 (RM400) per barrel.

The dipping price was welcome news for the Government because it could save on fuel subsidy if the price fell further, he said.

“When the latest fuel price rise was announced in June, the market price of oil was at US$125 per barrel. The Cabinet is waiting to see whether the level can be maintained for long or even better, go down further,” he told reporters yesterday after launching the Consumers Day 2008 at the Putra World Trade Centre.

On whether Malaysia would allow the domestic fuel prices to float according to market prices, he said the Government was against this because a rapid upward trend of the global crude oil price would see a drastic increase of fuel sold at the pumps.

Shahrir added the Government’s early decision was to review fuel prices at year-end but this would again depend on the situation.

On the inflation rate, which more than doubled to 7.7% in June, Shahrir said the Government had expected this to occur due to the rising cost of two important components in the consumer price index – food and transport.

He said inflation was expected to increase for this month but would decrease after that.

He added that the rate was still under control because of subsidies and price control.

“Otherwise, it could go as much as two digits like in some countries,” he said.

On his meeting with petrol station operators on the two-tier pricing system for petrol at border towns, he said technical problems needed to be ironed out.

He also said petrol station owners were only allowed to take in more workers if the workers were local.

He added that the limit on two foreign workers working at the pump area remained.

Sunday July 27, 2008. The Star online.

BERITADARIGUNUNG: Shahrir is so concerned with government coffer. People do have coffers too, small but meaningful. Can he be more people sensitive? But he has drawn a line. "I am the government, you are the people or the rakyat". Huh? Shahrir looks at drop of crude oil price as saving to government He could have send the same message with more rakyat friendly. He must have forgotten for being much older albeit w.......r.

Westports Helps Employees Overcome Fuel And Food Price Increases

KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Bernama) -- Wesports Malaysia, which is aware that the rising living cost is likely to affect morale and productivity, has announced improved benefits for its workers to increase their take-home pay and ease their burden.

In a statement, Wesports said it was fully aware of the increases in fuel price, toll, utilities cost and general food expenditure.

"These will affect employees purchasing power. The port is also keen to see its employees continuously improve productivity," it said.

Executive chairman, Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam, said on June 8, following the fuel price increase and the Tenaga Nasional Bhd's revised tariff rates, the company has improved the incentive scheme, introduced higher allowance to help employees cushion the effects of all round price increases.

Among the measures are:

Staff income has been increased by RM50 each in the form of shift allowance or salary increase;

A new incentive scheme for all operational staff has been implemented;

For terminal equipment operators, the incentive payout was increased for attainment of better moves per hour;

The incentive scheme for mechanical and repair technicians, measured by breakdown hours/equipment, ranged from RM150 to RM450;

Employees are encouraged to switch their cars from petrol to gas by giving them a RM4,000 loan at four percent interest deductible over 24 months;

A full grocery store has been set up at its business centre for employees; and,

Employees will be permitted to buy goods with their e-purse only, which will also be increased from the current RM200 to RM300 per month which took effect from Aug 1.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia motorcycle deaths increase with the growing price of gas

The Staff of Clutch and Chrome
July 19th 2008

It appears the story is being repeated worldwide, soaring gas prices move drivers onto two wheels and in turn, motorcycle fatalities increase substantially.

In the case of Malaysia, the increase of a 120,000 extra motorcyclists on the road in the first six months this year is being blamed for an additional 218 motorcyclist deaths during the period of January to June this year, compared to the same time last year.

Every year, some 400,000 new motorcycles are registered.

“Fatal accidents involving motorcyclists have increased for the first six months this year compared to the same period last year even though cases of serious accidents have decreased," said Malaysia's Road Safety Department Director-General.

“Among the reason why this is happening is because more road users are now using motorcycles due to the increase of petrol. People who travelled by car before are now travelling by motorcycle.”

click here
Clutch and Chrome, FL

Potent mix of record oil price, inflation and politics

A comment by Joseph Chin
All parties must work together to help nation face challenges
THE surge in oil prices, rising inflation and political uncertainty, all cropping up at the same time, make for a potent mix, which has to be brought under control as the fire is being stoked further by the fallout from US subprime mortgage crisis.

Malaysia is going through a baptism of fire.

Just as the gold ore has to go through fire to come out pure, this is perhaps the crucial test for the Government, opposition parties and the people to set aside their differences and come together for the betterment of the economy and country.

When the Economic Planning Unit prepared the Mid-Term Review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), oil was trading at US$100 per barrel. Since then, it is on an upward trend with the fresh record high at US$141 per barrel yesterday.

The oil price surge has widespread effect; ranging from higher transport costs to more expensive foodstuff, with no signs of abating.

This in turn is causing more inflationary pressure on all strata of society, especially poor families, which saw the consumer price index (CPI) for May hitting a 22-month high of 3.8% year-on-year.

The CPI is expected to surge by 7.5% to 8% year-on-year in June to December.

These developments are taking place during uncertain times in the political arena. Questions over the leadership transition from now until December are also a major concern.

We are also affected by the credit crisis, sparked by US mortgage defaults, which caused almost US$400bil in write-downs at the world’s largest banks and securities firms in the past year.
Under the Mid-Term Review of the 9MP, the Government has increased the development expenditure by RM30bil to RM230bil for the rest of the period ending in 2010.

With the scarce resources, the plan will now focus on people-centred social infrastructure projects instead of major infrastructure projects.

Most importantly, the projects must be executed well to ensure maximum impact on all the needy people.

There must be more transparency in the awarding of projects and also accountability in the execution of contracts. Leakages must be plugged.

The authorities must make periodic checks to ensure the projects are on track, the quality of materials used is up to mark and contractors paid on time.

There must be a fear of God in the hearts and minds of those who award the contract and also those undertaking the contracts that they will be held accountable. ... the star online Saturday June 28, 2008

Blogsphere on PETROL, Malaysia 26 Jun 2008

:: Minyak jarak dan "egusi melon"... alternatif ?
3 hours ago by Pak Ngah: ... berpotensi menjadi alternatif baru kepada penghasilan minyak petrol dan diesel. Ketua Laboratori Tenaga Boleh Diperbaharui dan Alternatif (AREL) dari Institut Teknologi Maju (ITMA), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Prof. Madya Ir. ...Perantau di perantauan - http://mohdlin.blogspot.com/

ISA again.
5 hours ago by stupidmalaysia IPOH: Those responsible for spreading rumours that petrol stations in the country were going on strike would be dealt with severely, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said. “This is an evil and treacherous act to sabotage ...Stupid Malaysia - http://stupidmalaysia.blogspot.com/

Minyak untuk Anak, Subsidi untuk Menantu, Tunai untuk Singapura ...
5 hours ago by kerabu Pada tahun 1984 pula, rakyat Malaysia membayar RM1.10 untuk seliter petrol. Harga tersebut termasuklah duti sebanyak 52 sen atau 90% ke atas harga pasaran semasa pada ketika itu iaitu 65 sen seliter. Menurut beliau lagi, kerajaan hanya ...kerabu bersuara............ - http://kerabubersuara.blogspot.com/

Credit card refusal draws ire
5 hours ago by Political Guru In the meeting, Mobil Stations Malaysia deputy president Roslan Jamaludin said petrol station operators could no longer shoulder the burden of the card charges. Sorry, no credit: Workers informing a customer that only cash would be ...Voice of Malaysian - http://voiceofmalaysian.com

happy with the RM625? don’t! you are being screwed by the PM ...
6 hours ago by Lucia ECM Libra FInancial Group Berhad has a stake in Pos Malaysia Berhad (PMB) through it’s acquisition of Avenue Capital Resources in 2006. That deal left a bitter taste in the mouths of those knowledgeable in the financial world as it was ...mental jog - http://lucialai.org

How much actually the government spent on fuel subsidy??
6 hours ago by bongkersz On the other hand, notes Minister for Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Shahrir Samad, Malaysia is a net importer of refined petrol. We produced 110000 barrels of refined petrol per day last year but the demand was 190000 ...The Flaccid Mind - http://bongkersz.com[ More results from The Flaccid Mind ]

People need more things to worry about.
6 hours ago by jhameia.goh We don't have minimum wage in Malaysia in order for them to afford other choices! What's wrong with them making the best of a bad situation and using what little resources they have to get cheap food? We don't exactly see employers ...Rebellious Jezebel Blogging - http://fantasyecho.livejournal.com/

In Paris or Rome,just wanna go Home
7 hours ago by McWongkie Some of you folks may think that Malaysia isn't a place to work in the near future because of petrol price and other 'rational' reasons but hey, this is where you came from, we sing tanah tumpahnya darahku for a reason. ...carollingchapters - http://mcwongkie.blogspot.com/

Isu minyak:Suatu tamparan buat rakyat Malaysia
7 hours ago by sis 5 Jun 2008 pastinya tarikh keramat yang tidak dapat dilupakan oleh rakyat Malaysia ekoran Perdana Menteri Malaysia mengumumkan harga petrol meningkat sebanyak RM0.78 seliter dan harga diesel sebanyak RM1.00 seliter. ...::jagalah hati:: - http://fit3nan.wordpress.com

The stupidity of Malaysian government
8 hours ago by TCH Secondly after the election, was the sudden announcement of "harga petrol naik" again when all along they fooled us by publicly declaring that petrol price will increase only in the month of August by earliest. Another so-called suprise ...The Mind Speaks Aloud - http://honchunthum.blogspot.com/

Petrol: the reactions and ripples

Petrol stations ban credit cards News24, South Africa - 1 hour ago Kuala Lumpur - Some Malaysian petrol stations have stopped accepting credit cards, claiming the 1% commission they pay banks is eating into their profit ... No closing-up in protest, says dealers group Malaysia Star Rumours spark off mad dash for petrol New Straits Times Rumours spark petrol panic in Sabah Malaysia Star Malaysia Star - Malaysia Star all 11 news articles »

TopNews

Malaysia to set up separate border petrol pumps for foreigners AFP - Jun 22, 2008 KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Malaysia announced plans Sunday to set up separate pumps at its border petrol stations to sell fuel to foreigners at market rates so ... Foreigners to pay market prices for gasoline at Malaysian border ... International Herald Tribune Foreigners to pay market price for petrol in Malaysia Monsters and Critics.com Dual-pump system for border petrol stations Malaysia Star New Straits Times - AFP all 27 news articles »

Government to raise sales commission for petrol station operators New Straits Times, Malaysia - 3 hours ago A statement will be released soon,” Nor Mohamed told reporters after launching “Kewangan Mikro Bandar” by Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia here. ...

Credit card refusal draws ire Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 10 hours ago In the meeting, Mobil Stations Malaysia deputy president Roslan Jamaludin said petrol station operators could no longer shoulder the burden of the card ...

Malaysia to check cross-border fuel tourism Energy Business Review - 8 hours ago Malaysian petrol retails for MYR2.70, still cheaper compared to prices in neighbouring countries. Mr Razak, as quoted by PetrolWorld, said: "There are two ...

UPDATE 2-Malaysia explains price rises, seeks to avert motion

Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:50am BST
(Recasts, adds market reaction, details and comment)
By Jalil Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Reuters) - Malaysia's government sought a parliamentary debate on Monday to explain a spike in food and fuel prices that has triggered street protests and put pressure on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign.

Although a small party within the ruling coalition looked set to fail in an unprecedented attempt to force a censure vote in the lower house, the opposition could yet seek to turn the inflation debate into a vote of no-confidence against Abdullah.

Opening the debate in parliament, Domestic Trade Minister Shahrir Samad sought to portray the rise in prices as a matter outside government control.

"The price increases are beyond the government's control and the government has no resources nor capability to shield the country's economy from the effects of the global phenomenon," Shahrir told parliament.

Abdullah has been under pressure to quit after Barisan suffered its worst electoral setback in 50 years at a March poll, losing its two-thirds parliamentary majority and ceding five states to the opposition.

Public anger against rising prices and a resurgent opposition could compound the pressure for the premier to quit, threatening to stall Abdullah's plans to reduce civil service corruption and reform the judiciary.

Government bond yields rose while the stock market shed about 1 percent by late afternoon. The ringgit was little changed against the dollar at 3.26. Continued...

BERITADARIGUNUNG: I thought Shahrir will support whatever is noble, true, valid and reflecting the general feeling of people. Now that he is a minister, will he support the vote of no confidence against PM if that appear in Parliment.?.. i doubt..... Memang, mengekalkan Abdullah Badawi sebagai Perdana Menteri Malaysia sangat mahal harganya. Seluruh rakyat perlu berkorban ... maruah dan wang ringgit.

Catatan: Rakyat macam peminta sedekah.

We beg. Kita meminta-minta. Orang dipaksa meminta. Orang jadi peminta sedekah.

Meminta bukan sebenar-benarnya salah. Kita minta wang dari bapa. Kita minta kawan tolong sesuatu. Kita order secawan kopi di kopitiam. Kita minta rokemen dari menteri untuk apa-apa saja. Perdana Menteri minta sokongan untuk terus memimpin negara. Yong Teck Lee minta semua diam untuk dia suarakan sesuatu. Anwar minta balik jawatan lamanya di mahkamah. Dulu ada orang meminta-minta jawatan melalui Sanusi.......

Dalam senario itu juga tanpa hakim meminta-minta, mereka diberi durian runtuh. Mereka seolah diminta untuk menghayun Tun Mahathir. Maka keluarlah siri mengherdik Tun Mahathir. Kecuali Hakim, Peguam, Abdullah, Musa dan Anwar, rakyat umum selepas berketuakan Abdullah beberapa tahun lebih puas berketuakan Tun Mahathir. Jarang sekali kita rasa tidak selamat dengan Tun Mahathir. Tentunya pembangkang tidak setuju, apatah lagi mereka yang pernah singgah di Kamunting dan sungai Buloh. Dengan Abdullah, "rasa selamat" semakin hilang. It is better to have a strong leader than a weak one....

Nah... kita telah dikejutkan dengan kenaikan harga petrol. Subsidi ditarik dengan banyaknya. Kerajaan tidak mahu rakyat jadi rakyat welfare. Kerajaan mahu rakyat bertanggungjawab dengan senario ekonomi dunia. Kerajaan tidak mahu rakyat bersenang lenang, tidur bangun, dan berangan-angan saja. Dalam keadaan itu juga, kerajaan memaksa rakyat menjadi peminta sedekah, berpusu-pusu ke pejabat pos untuk sedikit wang.

Di kopitiam, ada kawan kata bahawa dalam menangani isu petrol, tindakan pemerintahan Abdullah seolah tanpa pertimbangan. (Waktu itu teringat pula kes tok ketampi dalam lokap, ada yang kelam kabut dan terkinja-kinja nak pergi China untuk minta .......). Mereka tak suka rakyat welfare, mereka suka rakyat jadi beggars! Nah, tak sangka ada yang sangat sadist dalam kelompok pemerintah kini. Tak sangka......

BERITADARIGUNUNG: teringin tenguk nama-nama rakyat Malaysia yang ada 5 buah kereta untuk jadi peminta sedekah. He/she must be richer than most beggars.

Opinion: On managing and allocating subsidies

New Straits Times, Malaysia - 4 hours ago
By : SANTHA OORJITHAM
Malaysian consumers have many unanswered questions about fuel subsidies. It's time to explain how pump prices are set, experts tell SANTHA OORJITHAM.
"MALAYSIA is exporting crude oil. If the oil price goes up, don't our exports earn more and can't that subsidise pump prices?" asks a college professor in Kuala Lumpur.Saudi Arabia is lowering oil prices, claimed DAP's Teratai state assemblywoman Jenice Lee after a protest earlier this month. "How come we are not able to do it?"Many don't understand how the Automatic Pricing Mechanism for petrol works and why petrol and diesel prices rose 41 per cent earlier this month.While economists agree that the pump price had to be raised, they note that the public was not adequately prepared for the hike - even though petrol prices have risen steadily since 2000 and subsidies have been adjusted yearly since they were introduced in 2004 for petrol and 2000 for diesel (see chart).
Yes, we export crude petroleum, says the president and chief executive officer of Petronas, Tan Sri Hassan Marican. In 2007, Malaysia extracted about 600,000 barrels per day, of which 339,000 barrels per day were refined here. The remainder was exported unprocessed, making us a net exporter of crude.
On the other hand, notes Minister for Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Shahrir Samad, Malaysia is a net importer of refined petrol. ... click for more: Opinion: On managing and allocating subsidiesNew Straits Times, Malaysia

BERITADARIGUNUNG: Cuba menghayati bila Shahrir berdepan bukan hantu buatan, tetapi "the real down to earth scenario and crisis". And this is going to be a lot bigger than the cracks at Samy vellu bridge Shahrir shown not with fingers but his big mouth. Fight is not academic dear Shahrir, but it is real and blood letting.......