KUALA LUMPUR: The people have the opportunity to teach the Opposition a lesson on the consequences of twisting facts by voting for Barisan Nasional in the upcoming general elections.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said for example, since the government began managing fuel prices on a weekly basis in late March, the prices have only increased by one sen.
“We announced price increases for 21 weeks with a total increase of 83 sen but at the same time, we also announced price reductions for 13 weeks with a total decrease of 82 sen.”
“Yesterday (for instance) the prices dropped by 8 sen but it seems to be 'haram' for them (the Opposition) to utter a single word of praise to the government.
"Our friends in the Opposition have no praise for us when the prices go down but when the prices go up, they are ever ready with slander and accusations.”
"The best way to teach them a lesson is for the people to vote for BN as they would be voting for a government which is straightforward, transparent and honest," he said.
Rahman was fielding a question in the Dewan Rakyat from Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim on the possibility of taking legal action against parties that twist facts about fuel prices in order to create panic as well as instil hatred towards the government.
Rahman said the government would consider increasing the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) if the pump prices for petrol and diesel remain over RM2.50 for three months in a row.
He however admitted that the rise in petrol prices have an impact on inflation, adding that the government does not do direct hedging.
“We will be faced with a dilemma because even though we give out BR1M, the prices of goods would increase. If we cap the petrol prices, we will have complications from rating agencies as they will say we are interfering when we have been disciplined with the formula so far,” he said.
Rahman however told the House that the government would act to protect the people's interests in such a scenario and he would raise suggestions raised on hedging by Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
He also said that the rise in petrol prices affected the Consumer Price Index of the transport industry the most.
Reports by : Veeena Babulal, Farhana Syed Nokman and Fernando Fong