KL: Subsidised petrol 'not for foreigners'

^tamago^

13 Nov 07, 08:49

Subsidised petrol 'not for foreigners'
Straits Times, The (Singapore)
Asia - Malaysia
November 13, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR - THE government has been urged to stop Singaporeans from filling up their vehicles with subsidised petrol and diesel in Malaysia.

Mr Khalid Mohamad, Umno Youth chief for Johor Baru, said that the government should not allow foreigners to enjoy subsidised petrol any more.

He suggested a system to ensure that foreigners pay unsubsidised rates, as well as a fee of RM20 (S$9) to be imposed on Singaporean and Thai vehicles entering the country.

'When the government restructures the subsidy system, it should review the way in which foreigners have been enjoying subsidised petrol and diesel,' he said.

'The government should set up a special method to identify foreign licence plates or a special terminal selling unsubsidised petrol and diesel in cities near neighbouring countries,' he was quoted as saying by the Malay-language Berita Harian.

The newspaper reported that because of cheaper pump prices in Malaysia, thousands of vehicles from neighbouring Singapore and Thailand pour into the country.

Even if petrol was sold at unsubsidised rates to Singaporeans, the price would still be low because of the currency exchange rate, which is favourable to the city-state, said Mr Khalid.

The extra revenue could be channelled into other sectors such as health and infrastructure development, he said.

The prices of unsubsidised petrol RON97, RON92 and diesel in Malaysia are S$1.08, S$1.04 and 87 cents per litre respectively, said Berita Harian.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has said that the government will restructure

fuel subsidies to ensure that the poor pay less for their petrol than the rich.

Malaysia maintains petrol prices that are among the region's lowest, through hefty fuel subsidies.

The subsidies are expected to cost the country at least RM35 billion a year if crude oil prices hit around US$100 (S$145) per barrel.

Copyright, 2007, Singapore Press Holdings Limited

newcomer

13 Nov 07, 08:59

the way i look at it, it's just another way the msian government are filling up their coffers

alwaysdisturbed

13 Nov 07, 09:31

so welfare. subsidised petrol.

kipnosky

13 Nov 07, 09:45

They wanted to increase entry toll charges sometime back as well but held back on that. They must know that Singaporeans going in also spend on other things like food, entertainment, lodging, etc. These activities also inject money into their economy. But taking away incentives for visitors to come into their country, they may lose more than they gain in taking away fuel subsidies.

newcomer

13 Nov 07, 10:13

but still they have locals to think about. if fuel is the main incentives visitors are pouring into msia for, then petrol price will most likely increase, and that is not a good thing for the local economy, putting fuel grabbing visitors' money aside.

Originally posted by kipnosky:
They wanted to increase entry toll charges sometime back as well but held back on that. They must know that Singaporeans going in also spend on other things like food, entertainment, lodging, etc. These activities also inject money into their economy. But taking away incentives for visitors to come into their country, they may lose more than they gain in taking away fuel subsidies.

citymax

13 Nov 07, 10:49

Actualli its quite a situation for Malaysia..increase the fees for foreign cars will make the tourists to stay away from the already messy country will definitely decrease the income of the Malaysian.

We are willing to enter Malaysia is because of its cheap food, cheap Lodging, cheap Petrol and good attractions. Now they wanted to impose more barriers to prevent us from spending money on them...What the Government actualli thinking...

The next point i would to highlight is the earning of an average Malaysian is actualli not alot, and the living standard in Johor Bahru is realli very high and i also feel for the citizen living there. They have to endure the high crime rates and also the high living standard, no wonder more and more going bonkers.

No matter what decision the Malaysia want to decide is a lose-lose situation.

hisoka

13 Nov 07, 11:21

Originally posted by citymax:
Actualli its quite a situation for Malaysia..increase the fees for foreign cars will make the tourists to stay away from the already messy country will definitely decrease the income of the Malaysian.

We are willing to enter Malaysia is because of its cheap food, cheap Lodging, cheap Petrol and good attractions. Now they wanted to impose more barriers to prevent us from spending money on them...What the Government actualli thinking...

The next point i would to highlight is the earning of an average Malaysian is actualli not alot, and the living standard in Johor Bahru is realli very high and i also feel for the citizen living there. They have to endure the high crime rates and also the high living standard, no wonder more and more going bonkers.

No matter what decision the Malaysia want to decide is a lose-lose situation.

oh the other hand, for the johor citizens, if less singaporean's go in so often, there is a chance that the cost of living might go down

storywolf

13 Nov 07, 11:37

the singapore side 3/4 tanks rules prevent singapore from abusing the subsidised petrol - like topping up over there to use in singapore.

Singapore cars actually use the subsidised petrol to travel around Malaysia only for their hoildays .... So any move to do anything stupid about it will result in instant sharp drop of cars going into malaysia. Combine with high crime rates and new IR and other development in singapore which is already putting people off to visit malaysia - thus the impact will be great !!!

citymax

16 Nov 07, 22:07

Originally posted by hisoka:
oh the other hand, for the johor citizens, if less singaporean's go in so often, there is a chance that the cost of living might go down

i doubt the local district will lower the cost od living even less Singaporean is going into Malaysia. But i know more Johor citizen will lose alot of jobs.

Ponders

16 Nov 07, 22:22

Mr Khalid Mohamad, Umno Youth chief for Johor Baru should be better informed and should know his surrounding better.

The petrol kiosks (yes a few of them) that are nearest to the borders.....

belongs to sultan of johor..

so.... what do you think his chances are?