Oil price hike: Call for improvement in public transport service

Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) secretary-general, Datuk Dr Maamor Osman, said several mechanisms could help to lighter consumers' burden as a result of the oil price increase.

"We understand that the government's move is to reduce subsidy, but in this slow economic situation, with no increase in income, it will burden the low income earners.

"Therefore, the government has to find certain mechanisms , among others, to ensure a clean, safe and efficient public transport system as an alternative for the people," he said when contacted by Bernama here tonight.

He was commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's announcement tonight on the 20 sen increase for RON95 petrol and diesel, effective midnight.

Maamor said the government could also introduce oil rebate for those using national motorcycle and vehicles, as they comprised mostly of medium and low income earners.

This could be done by introducing smart cards for them, he added.

He also suggested that the government introduced an initiative to discipline the unscrupulous trader who took advantage of the oil price increase to raise the price of other goods.

As for employers, they could consider increasing the allowance rate of employees whose job required them to travel, he added.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) president, Datuk N. Marimuthu said almost 90 per cent of the people in country used RON95.