Early fuel price update helps motorists plan – FOMCA

datuk-seri-hasan-malek

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (FOMCA) has urged the government to reconsider the decision not to issue any prior notification on fuel price changes to the public. Its president Datuk N. Marimuthu said this was to avoid consumers being caught off guard because prior announcement would allow them to better plan their monthly budget.

“We feel it’s better to continue with the practice of making the official announcement on new fuel prices prior to the first day of a new month instead of only being informed at the pump stations,” he told Bernama, adding that FOMCA will submit a petition on the matter to the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry today.

Two days ago, KPDNKK Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek (pic) said that from now on, there will be no more prior announcement of monthly petrol and diesel prices, and motorists will find out if prices go up or down on midnight. As of July 1, RON 95 is RM2.15 per litre (up 10 sen compared to June), RON 97 RM2.55 per litre (up 20 sen) and diesel RM2.05 (unchanged).

FOMCA’s views differ from those of the Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM), which is happy with the move. “This is in line with our wishes as we have urged the government to do so. This is because early announcements of petrol price hikes will only interrupt the smooth operation of petrol stations,” said PDAM president Hashim Othman.

He explained that disruption occurs when motorists rush to fill up before an impending fuel price hike, often resulting in the petrol station running out of fuel. Station operators have been accused of hoarding stock in such situations. What are your views on this debate?

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Gargantia on Jul 02, 2015 at 10:50 am

    Minister Datuk Hasan were the top Petrol Dealers boss in the country… end of story.

    He partner with cronies in this country !!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 2
    • Same L0rrrr on Jul 02, 2015 at 3:27 pm

      Who cares about rakyat in government? No one!

      Rakyat didahulukan is nothing more than a empty slogan.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
  • Matchy on Jul 02, 2015 at 10:54 am

    But how much you can plan with 1 day (few hours to be precise) notice? If I remember correctly, there are no announcements during the earlier days… (Tun M era)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 11
  • dodgeviper88 on Jul 02, 2015 at 10:59 am

    I wonder why the government always provide solutions that ultimately are detrimental to the rakyat. Instead of announcing prices hours before price change maybe they can anounce it a week before the new month.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 1
  • Anti-Pati on Jul 02, 2015 at 11:02 am

    Have the stations display the prices on a big display underneath the logo billboard like the link below. Simple

    http://www.featurepics.com/FI/Thumb300/20080526/Higher-Gas-Station-Price-Sign-746710.jpg

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 0
  • IGP Mom on Jul 02, 2015 at 11:06 am

    Knowing a few hours earlier by govt announcement will not help in better budget planning the month ahead lol. I’m just more concern with govt hiding without announcement by rising at their will. Based on June crude oil price, it shouldn’t have rise in the first place. The general trend is much lower than in May.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 0
  • The govt have YET to show us how they derive the RM/liter formula. Government promise is like trash to us.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 0
  • Kenneth Fook on Jul 02, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    The current govt stands stills on not releasing prices to the public is a wise move. This is to prevent the petrol stations from sudden high low businesses. Kudos to the ruling coalition.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 10
  • tishaban on Jul 02, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    To me the whole objective should be transparency and benefit to the consumer.

    1. Publish the formula the government uses, let’s make the fuel price truly floating daily instead of monthly. This will allow for much less variation daily, rather than the possibility of 30 sen or more changes per month. Helps the consumer to a certain extent in pricing plus more transparency.

    2. Allow some sort of competition. The price the government publishes should be the upper limit, but retailers are allowed to sell for cheaper. Lots of benefit for the consumer in this case, but I’m sure there will be complaints from petrol dealers.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 2
  • Audiowner on Jul 02, 2015 at 12:41 pm

    Ministers now are getting more lazy.They only want to makan gaji buta.So the rakyat will suffer more.If they are for the people they should announce at least 10 days earlier on the change of petrol price.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  • Jejambu on Jul 02, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    Since it is no longer being subsidised, why not reflect the price of fuel on the station board and leave it to market prices? Just like Singapore, Australia, UK, USA, etc……. That way, there is no disruption to the operations of petrol station.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
  • Asalkan Bukan UMNO on Jul 02, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    Dear Pak Hasan, the top minister in talking crap and victimising the rakyat. Shut your hole. Konon menteri berjiwa rakyat. I spit on the ground you lay in eternity.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • G, where is the formula??? mannnnaaaa?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • stupid answer from this menteri.
    dare dare said that we BN want rakyat to pay the 1MDB and country Debt

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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