PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has hit out at critics who used his campaign speech during the 12th General Election on fuel prices to relate it to the current situation.
He said in 2008, the price for petrol in Malaysia was higher compared to other oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia.
"(The video) says if I win today, tomorrow the prices of fuel will go down. That is what is being repeated.
"But that was in 2008, when the price in Saudi Arabia was at 50 sen while ours was at RM1.80.
"Now, our petrol is priced at RM2.05, and Saudi Arabia's is at RM2.95. The only oil-producing country that sells petrol for cheap is Brunei.
"How do you then relate the cost in 2008 versus 2024? This is basic economics."
Anwar said this in his speech at the Finance Ministry's monthly assembly here, today.
The video of his campaign speech went viral on social media over the past few days, following the government's announcement of subsidy rationalisation on diesel on Sunday.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah announced that diesel subsidies for certain groups in Peninsular Malaysia had been discontinued starting 12am on June 10.
This, he said, would set the price of diesel at RM3.35 per litre according to the automated pricing mechanism, up from the current price of about RM2.15 per litre.
Meanwhile, Anwar said although Malaysia's inflation rate was among the lowest in Asia, it did not mean that the prices of goods would not increase.
"Let's think about it. As Prime Minister, I do not want the people to be burdened. Although the inflation rate is low, it means that the prices of goods will increase by a little.
"I did not say that prices will not go up. Having the lowest inflation rate in Asia still means that there is some increase in prices," he added.