SHAH ALAM: Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli today refuted claims suggesting that the prices of petrol and diesel would rise before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
"It (the claims) is not true. I think we have been truthful to the people that we want to put all the assistance and the system in place, before any decisions regarding subsidies are made.
"That's why we keep emphasising Padu (Central Database Hub), because we need to implement it first.
"If the deadline for Padu is March 31, it is practically impossible for a decision to be made regarding petrol and diesel prices within such a short timeframe.
"We need to clean up (bersihkan) the data and inform those who are eligible for the assistance," he told reporters after attending the Padu town hall held at the MBSA Convention Centre here.
Rafizi was responding to a question regarding claims of an impending increase in petrol and diesel prices before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
He also reiterated that the implementation of targeted subsidies was previously announced to commence from the second quarter onwards.