RON95 goes up by 20 sen

PUTRAJAYA: The price of RON95 petrol and diesel has been increased by 20 sen, as one of the measures to rationalise subsidies by the Government to reduce the country’s fiscal deficit.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the decision, saying that it would save the Government RM1.1bil from September to December this year and RM3.3bil annually.

Before the revision, the price for RON95 was RM1.90 per litre and RM1.80 for diesel. The price increase for RON95 was in 2010.

“Currently, the Government subsidises 83 sen for each litre of RON95 petrol and RM1 for a litre of diesel.

“This brings the total fuel subsidy allocation for 2013 up to RM24.8bil. The reduction of 20 sen in fuel subsidy means that the Government will still subsidise 63 sen per litre of RON95 and 80 sen per litre of diesel,” Najib said at a press conference after chairing a meeting for the Fiscal Policy Committee (FPC) yesterday. Many had predicted the price rise but the timing was a surprise as Najib had been expected to announce it during the tabling of the Budget.

To ease the burden on low-income and vulnerable groups in the fuel subsidy rationalisation, Najib said the quantum for BR1M, or the 1Malaysia People’s Aid, would be increased in Budget 2014.

He said a comprehensive “social safety net” and further fiscal measures would also be introduced.

Najib said the FPC had reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to achieve a fiscal deficit target of about 3% of gross domestic product by 2015 and attain a balanced budget by 2020.

“The moderation in the current account of the balance of payments (BOP), coupled with continued fiscal deficits pose medium-term risks to the economy.

“Currently, our subsidy system benefits everyone, including the higher income group and foreigners.

“Thus, we need to move to a more targeted subsidy system that caters to vulnerable groups,” Najib said.

Other measures announced by the Prime Minister included the giving of priority to public sector projects with low-import content and high-multiplier effects.

“Projects with high import components will be sequenced accordingly, so as not to adversely impact the BOP position.