CERTAINLY, many Malaysians do understand that oil supply the world over has been adversely affected by the on-going US and Israel’s war against Iran.
What they cannot decipher perhaps is the drastic rises in pump prices of non-subsidised petrol (RON97) and diesel to record highs of RM5.15/litre and RM5.52/litre which would impact the entire production chain with the rising cost be eventually passed down to consumers.
This has inadvertently led to a detractors reminding Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of his infamous, oft-cited election campaign slogan, “Today I become PM, tomorrow I reduce oil price” as he unveiled the temporary reduction of RON95 petrol quota to 200 litres/month from 300 litres effective April 1.
His justification that 90% of RON 95 petrol users will not be affected by the reduced quota with supply remaining sufficient and stable was mocked with doubts if the “90% data can be trusted”.
Editor’s Note: Finance Ministry secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican had on earlier this year said 90% of those eligible for BUDI95 use less than 200 litres/month of their entitlement.
Others were quick to point out that “even the 300 litres/month quota has been inadequate” with one Lalamove delivery driver attesting that his “livelihood will be affected” with the latest measure.
Some even called for the revocation of “MPs’ monthly car and entertainment allowances” to bringing down their salaries to “a RM1,700 basic” or even “slash pension” or “make do with unnecessary VIP escorts”.
On a more serious note, former UMNO supreme council member Isham Jalil bluntly urged PMX “to admit that you are incapable of governing” in reaction to a Sinar Harian report citing the latter’s appeal to Malaysians to understand the spiraling global oil price situation.
“You used to promise the moon and stars but now you don’t know what to do,” penned Isham who was sacked from UMNO on Dec 6, 2023 for opposing the party’s cooperation with DAP on his Facebook page.
“Now the rakyat have become victims by having to bear the burden of your policies and decisions out of your greed and ambition to become PM.”
Added the former special officer to incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak: “If the opposition is the one who needs to provide a solution, it means you are dysfunctional. Perhaps, you need to step down, apologise to the rakyat and make way for those who are more capable of governing to ease the rakyat’s burden.”
Echoing Isham’s view is political commentator Tai Zee How a.k.a. Apek Cina who chided PMX for his tendency “to blaming everyone but himself” when things do not work out in his favour.
“Now that international oil prices are in the US$100/barrel range, you attributed the hardship to the closure of Strait of Hormuz or the US for triggering the Iranian war, etc,” he jibed in a FB Reel.
“During former premier the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s time when oil prices had touched US$147/barrel (in 2008) or during the Najib administration when the Brent crude oil price spiked to US$125/barrel, retail prices of RON95 were maintained at RM2/litre and below while diesel and RON97 didn’t rise abruptly.
“Back then, the opposition called for the use of PETRONAS’ massive profits to cover oil subsidy with you shouting ‘today I become PM, tomorrow oil price will come down’ yet why is this not happening?”
Added the Kuala Lumpur-based advocate, solicitor and barrister-at-law (Lincoln’s Inn) associated with KK Mak & Tan:
When prices of goods rose because of GST, you blame Najib but now when there’s even bigger price spiral under SST, you blame traders; previously when the national debt was RM686 bil, you blame Najib but now at RM1.4 tril, you blame the prior government.
“You had also blamed Najib for toll but now when toll still exists, you blame road users or when the KLIA aerotrain was disrupted in the past, you blame Najib but now you blame contractors or when the UEC (Unified Examination Certificate) is not recognised, you previously blamed Najib but now blame Dong Zong.
“And the list just goes on till I’m speechless.” – March 27, 2026
