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Tun Daim says that if we continue to subsidize local and foreign companies to keep the current petrol price, Malaysians would have to pay more taxes. On the other hand, since the Government has allowed the increase, how is he going to control the spiraling effects on prices of goods and services? We hope

his ministry's detailed study will come out with an acceptable answer.

The Petrol Dealers' Association has urged the Government to continue subsidizing petrol prices. We have to consider the burden on millions of consumers who have yet to recover from the economic crisis.

The soaring fuel price is one of the factors nudging the Malaysia Airlines System, MAS, to ask for a 50% increase in domestic fares. At present, the domestic service incurs a loss of about RM360 million annually. As the Government allows foreign airlines to acquire up to 30% of MAS shares, would this help the company deal with the losses?
Which foreign airlines are interested?

Clearly, having got over the bad patch of the crisis, we are facing inflationary pressure. Tun Daim has to explain to the public how he intends to prevent petrol price hike affecting inflation.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw