PUTRAJAYA: PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang should have consulted the Terengganu Mentri Besar for facts regarding fuel price adjustments instead of accusing the government of "deceiving" the people, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Expressing his regret over the Marang Member of Parliament’s remarks, Fahmi revealed that Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar was personally present at a high-level briefing where the global energy crisis and fuel subsidies were discussed in detail.
"I am disappointed by his statement, considering that the Terengganu MB was among those who attended the meeting last week," Fahmi told a press conference here on Wednesday (April 8).
He revealed that the session included four Menteris Besar from the opposition-led "SG4" states.
"I was there as a living witness. Briefings were provided by PETRONAS, Tan Sri Hassan Merican and the Treasury Secretary-General.
“None of the other SG4 MBs asked a single question, including why oil prices were rising. Only the Kedah Menteri Besar spoke up,” he said.
Fahmi added that since Ahmad Samsuri is also a Member of Parliament, he had been given ample opportunity by the Prime Minister to seek clarification on behalf of the PAS leadership.
"The space and opportunity for the Marang MP to get these answers were fully provided through his representative, the MB,” Fahmi added.
Responding to Abdul Hadi’s claims that there was no justification for a price hike in Peninsular Malaysia when prices remained stable in Sabah and Sarawak, Fahmi questioned the accuracy of the information being fed to the PAS President.
He pointed out that even oil-producing nations like the United Arab Emirates have been forced to adjust domestic prices due to market pressures.
"I am not sure if he was given the correct information. For instance, diesel prices in Thailand are currently far higher than in our country.
“There is no nation in the world where the government or the market has not seen a price increase," he said.
