PUTRAJAYA: The people must have confidence in using locally-made products to renew interest in research and development of local technologies, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday.

"If we do not buy local products, there will be no interest to develop research and the technology used will be wasted," the prime minister said when launching the installation of Hydrofuel, a gadget developed by Hydrogen Fuel Industries Sdn Bhd to save the consumption of petrol and diesel for 100 taxis and rented cars at Dataran Putra.

Also present were Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and Hydrogen Fuel president Dr Halim Ali.

Abdullah said the gadget could be used not only for taxis but also private vehicles of 1,000cc capacity and below.

"Taxi drivers will test the gadget for three months and submit a report to Halim. This is part of our efforts to find alternative fuel, gadgets or technologies to reduce the consumption of petrol and diesel, especially for cars."
Priced at RM1,400, Abdullah said it would be worth the money spent.

Abdullah said several measures had been taken to ease the suffering of the people in the face of inflation and high prices of food and fuel.