PETALING JAYA: The latest diesel price cut is an attempt by Pakatan Harapan to buy votes ahead of the impending Johor state election, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).
The MCA president said the Madani government had spent months telling Malaysians that diesel prices tracked global rates, only to lower the price before the Johor polls on July 11.
He chided what he called a new economic theory on the verge of the state polls.
“That diesel prices do not follow global prices, but state elections. The price of diesel suddenly reduced on July 1 when Johoreans go to the ballot box on July 11.
“Is this a coincidence? Don’t treat Johoreans like children,” he said in a TikTok video posted yesterday.
Dr Wee then referred to a remark by Transport Minister Anthony Loke during a Pakatan event in Bukit Gambir, Johor, where he spoke about the diesel subsidy and the state polls.
“They knew that during this event, there is political value. They knew that this will allow them to influence voters.
“So, is this an economic policy or election candy?” questioned Dr Wee, who is the Ayer Hitam MP.
Dr Wee said Malaysians and traders have weathered high diesel prices as it cascaded through the supply chain, leading to higher cost of living.
“The people have already paid the price and traders have raised their prices. Inflation has also set in.
“But, when the election is close by suddenly diesel is cheap and there is a 200-litre quota under MyKad,” he said.
Dr Wee said this election candy by the government was an insult to Johoreans.
“Johor locals are not for sale. Their votes that will last for the next five years will not be bought by 200 litres of diesel,” he added.
On Monday, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said that beginning July 1, a basic 200-litre subsidy quota for diesel priced at RM2.10 per litre will be provided under the Budi Madani Diesel programme.
This followed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement on Sunday about the lower price of subsidised diesel.
At Pakatan’s candidate announcement event in Bukit Gambir on Monday night, Loke claimed that Malaysia was one of the few countries where diesel prices have reduced despite spiking global crude oil prices, adding that no other country had managed this.
