Minister to discuss falling prices of petrol, diesel with PDA members

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin will meet members of the Petrol Dealers Association (PDA) next week to listen to their problems arising from the drop in petrol and diesel prices.

He said this would allow the ministry to listen to the grouses of these dealers who claim to suffer losses caused by the drop in prices for three consecutive weeks.

"When we do something, we do not just consider them. On the other hand, we want to ensure that consumers enjoy what the government has done. So let me discuss with them first," he told reporters after officiating the Franchise International Exhibition and Conference (FIM) 2017 at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.

President of the Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM) Datuk Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz was reported as saying the continuous drop in petrol prices had caused many operators to suffer losses.

He said the operators had to bear the difference between the price of purchasing the petrol stock and the price it is sold to the public.

Meanwhile, Hamzah said in the future, the FIM will have a new image and be on a bigger scale when new elements are introduced in the form of carnival and tourism products.

He said FIM had the potential to be expanded by improving tourism aspects to attract more local and foreign franchisee.

FIM 2017 is the 24th edition of the biggest franchise exhibition in Southeast Asia, jointly organised by the ministry and the Malaysian Franchise Association.

-- BERNAMA