KUALA KANGSAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has criticised those who mocked his 2008 pledge to lower petrol prices.
Anwar said his remarks from that period have been taken out of context to stir up sentiments and mislead the public.
"The statement was made when the price of oil in Saudi Arabia was 50 sen at that time," he said during a question-and-answer session at Malay College Kuala Kangsar here on Saturday (April 4).
"But we are now at RM1.99, among the lowest in the world, compared only to Brunei, which is slightly lower than us.
"All oil-producing countries, including the UAE, are now raising oil prices," he said.
Anwar had pledged in 2008 to reduce petrol prices if the Opposition at the time won the general election.
Separately, Anwar said reforms require time and cannot be achieved immediately.
"We are trying to make changes to the best of our ability, but we can't change things in the blink of an eye.
"People say Anwar is always talking about reform, but it has not happened yet," he said.
"We have a proper, standard process," he added.
Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh, Perak State Speaker Datuk Seri Mohamad Zahir Abdul Khalid, and Perak education committee chairman Datuk Khairudin Abu Hanipah.
