PUTRAJAYA, March 9 — The government will do its utmost to maintain the price of RON95 at RM1.99 per litre so that it does not burden the people, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The finance minister said that although global oil prices are reported to be rising, the situation in the country remains under control, with the RON95 price kept low.
“Oil prices today — Brent crude is already at USD100 per barrel.
“We are still maintaining RM1.99 for Budi 95, and we will do our utmost to ensure it does not burden the people,” he said when speaking at a gathering with staff of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) here today.
Also present were Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
The situation in the Middle East has been tense since February 28, when Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran, followed by Tehran’s retaliatory strikes against US interests in Gulf countries.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh was reported as saying that Iran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key sea route for global energy transportation, despite the ongoing conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow strait between Iran and Oman, measuring between 55 and 95 kilometres in width, and is one of the main shipping lanes for the global oil and gas industry.
Anwar said Malaysia does not agree with any acts of violence, particularly attempts to conquer or destabilise other countries.
“(Malaysia) does not agree with violence, does not agree with the abuse of power and attempts to conquer or destabilise other countries,” he said.
Anwar also expressed sympathy for countries in the Middle East affected by the conflict.
“I have contacted Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to request that efforts be made to control the situation so that relations among neighbouring Islamic countries remain strong,” he said.
He also advised the public to plan their spending and practise thrift as a precautionary measure against possible global economic uncertainty.
