5486) TURUN HARGA MINYAK TANGGUNGJAWAB SIAPA? - BERITA ALHIJRAH - 12/11/2019

Laporan Berita AlHijrah 12 November 2019

3614) Harga minyak: Kaedah pengapungan mingguan langkah tepat - ismaweb

KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Rejab 1438H, Sabtu – Kaedah pengapungan terkawal secara mingguan bagi penetapan harga minyak adalah bertepatan buat masa ini, kata Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. Beliau berkata, ini kerana penetapan harga minyak di Malaysia dipengaruhi pasaran harga bahan api dunia yang tidak tetap. “Jika dilihat pada permulaan kaedah pengapungan secara mingguan ini dilaksanakan, sebanyak 17 sen telah diturunkan bagi RON95 dan 19 sen untuk RON97 serta sembilan sen bagi diesel…masyarakat masih lagi mendapat manfaat kerana harganya masih munasabah dan terkawal. “Bagaimanapun, kerajaan sentiasa bersiap sedia untuk mengambil langkah lebih proaktif sekiranya harga minyak dunia naik secara mendadak,”katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Program MyPrihatin Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) peringkat Parlimen Titiwangsa di sini, hari ini. Turut hadir, Ketua Pengarah JPJ, Datuk Seri Nadzri Siron dan Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia, Datuk Nadzim Johan. Beliau mengulas masalah kenaikan harga minyak sebanyak dua kali sepanjang bulan ini yang dilihat membebankan rakyat. Johari juga tidak menolak kemungkinan peperangan di Syria ketika ini memberi impak kepada kenaikan harga minyak dunia. “Apabila ada serangan dari Amerika Syarikat terhadap negara itu (Syria) yang merupakan pengeluar minyak di rantau Asia Barat, maka pelbagai pihak berpendapat bekalan minyak dunia akan terganggu…ini antara berlaku peningkatan harga minyak secara mendadak,” katanya. Harga runcit mingguan bagi tempoh 13-20 April untuk petrol RON95 naik lapan sen kepada RM2.24 seliter, RON97 naik sembilan sen kepada RM2.52 seliter manakala diesel naik lapan sen kepada RM2.16 seliter. Sementara itu, pada program berkenaan, seramai 325 peserta berjaya mendapatkan lesen memandu percubaan motosikal B2 (motosikal tidak melebihi 250cc).- Bernama http://www.ismaweb.net/2017/04/harga-minyak-kaedah-pengapungan-mingguan-langkah-tepat/#

3164) CIPTA MEKANISME KAWAL HARGA MINYAK – HARIAN METRO – 2/11/2016

Dari Laman Web Rasmi PPIM http://www.ppim.org.my/

2478) SINAR - 07/02/2015 - Siang, Malam Barang Kita Naik

*KATA Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Datuk Seri Hasan Malek, sekarang adalah masa terbaik bagi pemborong dan peniaga untuk menurunkan harga barangan.

Bukan sahaja menteri, pengguna pun berpendapat – dan berharap – sedemikian. Almaklumlah harga minyak sudah beberapa kali turun sejak kaedah pengapungan harga dilaksanakan bermula 1 Disember lalu.

Penurunan terkini pada 1 Februari, minyak RON95 dijual pada harga RM1.70 (turun 21 sen) seliter, RON97 RM2 (11 sen), diesel RM1.70 (23 sen). Tiga kali harga minyak turun dalam tempoh dua bulan, logiknya harga barang lain pun patut turun.

Hasan telah mengadakan beberapa pertemuan dengan pihak industri daripada peringkat pengilang, pemborong, pembekal sehingga peruncit, semua memberi reaksi positif.

Tetapi, sehingga hari ini belum ada barang turun harga. Sana-sini orang ramai mengeluh barang terus naik, tidak kira siang atau malam.


*MINYAK naik atau minyak turun, pengguna juga yang selalu rugi. Sejarah membuktikan setiap kali harga minyak naik, dalam masa beberapa jam peniaga akan segera menaikkan harga barang.

Minyak naik, barang pun naik ikut suka peniaga. Semua peniaga melonjakkan harga atas alasan kos pengangkutan naik. Hatta penjual cendol dan rojak atas basikal pun menaikkan harga jualan.

Jam 12 malam minyak naik, jam 10 pagi cendol sudah tukar harga.

Minyak naik 10 sen seliter, tetapi cendol naik 10 sen semangkuk. Pada hal penjual cendol tidak terlibat dengan petrol, sebab basikal tidak menggunakan bahan bakar.

Barang-barang keperluan lain pun ikut naik harga, bagaikan tidak terkawal. Sudahlah harga naik, saiz makin kecil. Roti canai, goreng pisang, nasi lemak, apam balik semua makin kecil. Hatta gelas teh tarik pun makin kecil.

Pendek kata apabila minyak naik, semua barang naik sekelip mata. Tetapi apabila minyak turun, barang tetap naik. Demikianlah nasib pengguna kita, naik atau turun pasti kena cekik darah. Ada sesiapa kisah?


*APA yang kelakar (sebenarnya menyakitkan hati!) dalam keadaan barang serba-serbi naik, kerajaan menyeru orang ramai supaya menjadi pengguna bijak dan berbelanja secara berhemah.

Selalu juga diuar-uarkan supaya orang ramai menggunakan kuasa pengguna, iaitu dengan membeli hanya yang perlu. Satu lagi seruan klise kepada pengguna: “Jika harga mahal, boikot!”

Bagi rakyat terbanyak @ orang biasa, tidak payah diseru pun mereka memang sentiasa berhemah. Dengan pendapatan hanya cukup makan, mereka tidak bermewah dan membeli hanya yang perlu.

Ada pun yang perlu bagi mereka ialah beras, gandum, gula, barang dapur, uniform sekolah anak, tambang bas sekolah. Mereka tidak ada kudrat untuk memikirkan intan berlian, beg tangan Louis Vuitton dan lain-lain barang mewah.

Boikot? Macam mana hendak boikot jika itu barang keperluan? Contoh: macam mana hendak boikot ayam sebab itulah satu-satunya lauk paling murah yang termampu oleh kebanyakan orang. Kalau boikot ayam, hendak makan apa? Sebab ikan, udang, sotong, ketam semua berkali ganda lebih mahal daripada ayam. Orang berduit boleh boikot ayam sebab mereka mampu beli daging import dari Australia!


*AKHIR kalam, seperti yang dilaporkan media, Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM) mencadangkan kerajaan menubuhkan satu kumpulan pakar yang berperanan mengkaji harga barangan bagi mengelakkan peniaga memanipulasi harga sewenangnya.

Setiausaha Agung PPIM, Datuk Dr Ma’amor Osman berkata, penubuhan kumpulan itu amat diperlukan pada masa sekarang memandangkan harga barangan di pasaran berada di tahap tidak menentu berikutan turun naik harga minyak (petrol dan diesel).

“Kumpulan pakar ini boleh menentukan harga barangan pengguna, contohnya jika harga petrol turun sebanyak lima peratus, harga barangan juga perlu diturunkan sebanyak lima peratus.

“Kumpulan ini juga perlu membuat kajian apakah kesan harga barangan terhadap pengguna bila harga minyak naik atau turun, dengan ini pengguna boleh turut sama menentukan harga barang,” katanya.

Baguslah kalau cadangan tersebut menjadi kenyataan. Tetapi kalau tiada kumpulan pakar pun kerajaan boleh melakukan peranan tersebut. Kerajaan ada banyak kementerian, berbagai-bagai agensi, ada macam-macam pakar, ada sekian banyak undang-undang dan akta. Tidak payah tubuh pasukan pakar pun kerajaan boleh memantau dan mengawal harga barang. Kena tegaslah!

Sumber: http://www.sinarharian.com.my/kolumnis/tok-perak/siang-malam-barang-kita-naik-1.357915

2458) THE MALAY MAIL - 05/02/2015 - Drinking Petrol Is Cheaper, says Muslim Consumer Group

 

PPIM president Datuk Nadzim Johari (centre) lashed out at giant mineral water manufacturer Spritzer for selling expensive bottled water and called on consumers to boycott its products.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — Consumers might as well drink petrol instead of water now that fuel prices have dropped, the Muslims Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) said today.

Comparing the price of mineral water to the price of petrol at the pumps, PPIM president Datuk Nadzim Johari said the price of a 500ml bottle of RON97 petrol was 20 sen to 50 sen cheaper.

“A campaign to drink petrol because it’s cheaper must be launched,” he told reporters here after announcing the set-up of a Consumer Boycott Centre.

He also lashed out at giant mineral water manufacturer Spritzer for selling expensive bottled water priced above RM1 for a RM500ml and called on consumers to boycott its products.

“Based on research, we recommend to boycott Spritzer. Because when we go out we saw Spritzer is the biggest, in more petrol stations, everywhere.

“They are so monopolistic, they should be more friendly to others,” Nadzim said.

He urged the authorities to cap the retail price of 500ml bottles of mineral water at RM1.

Nadzim also compared bottles of Spritzer’s mineral water sold at cafe chain stores Old Town White Coffee and Pappa Rich to bottled drinking water sold at the 1Malaysia government-backed retail outlets, which he said priced at RM3.50 and RM0.39 respectively.

“How much does it cost to process water?” he asked, before saying “The cost is unreasonable”.

Nadzim stressed that the Consumer Consumer Boycott Centre initiative had nothing to do with Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri’s call for Malays to boycott Chinese vendors.

He agreed with the agriculture and agro-based industries minister that the price of goods were being raised indiscriminately, but stopped short of pointing the finger at a specific race.

“I think that he was talking was really facts,” Nadzim said.

“Malay also got, Indian also got, Chinese also got. When you’re talking about capitalists, they are all the same colour,” he added.

The Consumer Boycott Centre consists of 20 other non-governmental organisations and aims to get people to take part in a three-month boycott of allegedly profiteering businesses.

The group believes it can get 17 million people to participate, through phone messaging service WhatsApp and social media.

The group said it will also investigate the alleged price hikes of other service providers ranging from car workshops to telecommunications firms and banks.


Credit: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/drinking-petrol-is-cheaper-says-muslim-consumer-group

2407) FREE MALAYSIA TODAY - 02/01/2015 - Dip In Fuel Prices May Not Result In Cheaper Goods

KUALA LUMPUR: The drop in petrol prices does not guarantee a drop in the prices of essential goods and the cost of living as most traders are profit-oriented.

This view was expressed by Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman who was of the opinion that normally a drop in the price of petrol would not influence the prices of goods.

“Prior to this, when the price of fuel dropped, the prices of goods did not. This was because most traders were oriented to profit rather than the welfare of consumers. However, when the price of petrol rises even a bit, they are quick to raise the prices of goods,” he said when contacted by Bernama here, yesterday.

Effective today, the government announced a price drop of 35 sen for RON95 and RON97 petrol, to RM1.91 and RM2.11 a litre, respectively.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association (PPIM) secretary-general Ma’amor Osman shared the same opinion and felt it was time the sincerity of the traders was demanded by also dropping the prices of goods.

“The excuse that the price of petrol has gone up is often cited to raise the prices of goods so when the price of petrol drops, it should be in tandem with a drop in the prices of goods,” he said.

“The drop in petrol price this time is unexpected and extraordinary. This could be because the United States had constructed 20,000 crude oil wells to meet demand compared to Saudi Arabia which has 2,000 wells,” said economics expert at the Economics, Finance and Banking Studies Centre at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Prof Datuk Dr Amir Hussin Baharuddin.

He said the drop would see the cost of living also dropping or unchanged, but this still depended on the prices of essential items.

But he projected the matter would bring difficulty to 386,000 rubber tappers and rubber smallholders who were facing a drop in the price of rubber. He said not many knew if the price of petrol dropped, the price of rubber would also drop, and vice versa.

“The tyre manufacturing industry will use crude oil if its price drops resulting in a drop in the demand for natural rubber. On the other hand, if the price of crude oil is high, the industry would fully use natural rubber to make tyres,” he said.

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said the association was prepared to bring down the prices of food if distributors, 
wholesalers and producers also reduced their prices.

“Maybe it is still early to speculate as the price of petrol had just been reduced but other costs are still going up such as electricity tariffs and shop rental,” he said.

Housewife Norliah Baba, 49, said there was no reduction in the prices of goods currently. “The prices of the goods I buy at the market are still the same. I hope traders can bring down the prices of goods to help reduce the burden of the low income earners,” she said.

Taxi driver, Dzulkifli Bidin, 60, hoped the prices of car spare parts and lubricants, which had gone up with the past increases in the prices of petrol, would go down with the drop in the price of petrol. “I hope the government can play its part to survey the prices of goods to ensure distributors and traders will not continue to reap big profits despite the drop in the price of petrol,” he added.

- BERNAMA

Credit : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/01/02/dip-in-fuel-prices-may-not-result-in-cheaper-goods/

2406) SINAR - 16/01/2015 - Minyak Turun Harga, Tapi Barang Tetap Mahal?

SHAH ALAM – Rakyat negara ini sudah menikmati kadar harga minyak yang rendah sejak bulan lalu namun, sehingga kini masih terpaksa membayar barang keperluan pada kadar sama saat harga minyak melambung.

Apa pula alasan peniaga untuk tidak menurunkan harga barang jika harga minyak naik menjadi penyebab mereka menaikkan harga barang sebelum ini?
 

Kemudian, akta yang mana dan kempen yang mana dapat menurunkan harga barang ini?

Ahli Lembaga Pengamanah Pusat Khidmat Aduan Pengguna Nasional (NCCC), Muhamad Sa’ani Abdullah berkata, kadar penurunan harga minyak mentah dunia yang drastik sepatutnya memberi kesan kepada harga barangan namun perkara itu tidak berlaku di negara ini.

“Apabila harga minyak naik 20 sen, harga barang juga naik 10 sen atau 20 sen. Walaupun sumbangan minyak itu teramat kecil sebenarnya.

“Tapi sekarang, harga minyak dunia turun daripada $110 setong pada Jun 2014 kepada $60 setong pada bulan ini. Itu adalah satu perubahan yang banyak tapi kita tak nampak apa-apa perubahan pada harga barang,” katanya kepada Sinar Online.

Menurutnya, kerajaan perlu menyiasat keuntungan yang diraih pengeluar, pengedar dan peruncit bagi mengenal pasti barangan mana yang memperoleh keuntungan berlebihan.

“Fomca telah menghantar memorandum kepada kerajaan. Kerajaan perlu menggunakan Akta Kawalan Harga dan anti-pencatutan untuk menyiasat keuntungan yang diraih pengeluar, pengedar dan juga peruncit. Dari situ kerajaan boleh kenal pasti, barang mana yang meraih keuntungan berlebihan.

“Apabila kos pengeluaran terutama kepada yang menggunakan bahan api menurun, sepatutnya harga barang juga turun. Petrol menurun hampir 50 peratus, jadi, perlu ada perubahan dalam harga barangan. Ini hanya boleh dilakukan oleh pihak berkuasa,” katanya.

Beliau turut mengingatkan soal pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) pada 1 April depan yang mungkin menjadi cabaran buat kerajaan jika masalah harga barang ini tidak ditangani sekarang.

“Kerajaan kata selepas GST nanti, kalau peniaga naikkan harga akan diambil tindakan. Apa yang kerajaan boleh buat? Kalau penurunan harga minyak 50 peratus pun kerajaan tak boleh ambil tindakan.  GST itu 6 peratus saja, apa tindakan yang boleh diambil?

“Jika tiada tindakan undang-undang boleh diambil sekarang, kita tak yakin apa yang akan berlaku pada 1 April nanti. Ini cabaran untuk kerajaan,” katanya.

Sementara itu,  Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan menyifatkan isu tiada penurunan harga barang meskipun harga minyak telah lama turun itu dikaitkan dengan sikap peniaga yang hanya mahu mengaut keuntungan.

“Inilah bayangan etika kebanyakan peniaga di Malaysia. Mereka hanya tahu nak untung sahaja dan tidak mengutamakan etika. Perkara ini telah merebak dan menjadi penyakit yang amat bahaya kepada negara.

“Ini cabaran yang mesti dihadapi jika negara kita nak membangun. Jika tidak, hari ini kita diisi dengan penipuan atas penipuan.

“Minyak naik 20 sen tapi bebola ikan yang dulunya dijual RM1.50 sepaket sekarang RM2.50 sepaket. Katakan sebuah lori boleh bawa 6,000 paket bebola ikan, jadi, dia untung tambahan RM6,000 hanya dengan alasan minyak naik 20 sen. Ini yang kita kena betulkan,” katanya.

Tegasnya, kerajaan perlu menangani permasalahan ini untuk jangka masa pendek serta jangka masa panjang.

“Sekarang ini, minyak turun tapi harga barang makin naik pula gara-gara banjir. Sedangkan banjir di Kelantan tapi buah limau dari China pula yang naik harga.

“Kena didik peniaga supaya lebih beretika. Untuk jangka pendek perlunya undang-undang tapi untuk jangka panjang, sikap perlu diubah. Selagi hati tidak dapat dibentuk, kempenlah bagaimana pun, tak akan mendatangkan hasil,” katanya.

Sumber : http://www.sinarharian.com.my/nasional/minyak-turun-harga-tapi-barang-tetap-mahal-1.351079

2324) THE MALAY MAIL - 01/01/2015 - FOMCA: Lower Petrol Price Does Not Guarantee Cheaper Goods

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 ― The drop in petrol prices does not guarantee a drop in the prices of essential goods and the cost of living as most traders are profit-oriented.

The view was expressed by Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman who was of the opinion that normally a drop in the price of petrol would not influence the prices of goods.

“Prior to this, when the price of fuel dropped, the prices of goods did not. This was because most traders were oriented to profit rather than the welfare of consumers.

“However, when the price of petrol rises even a bit, they are quick to raise the prices of goods,” he said when contacted by Bernama here, today.

Effective today, the government announced a price drop of 35 sen for RON 95 and RON 97 petrol, to RM1.91 and RM2.11 a litre, respectively.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association (PPIM) secretary-general Datuk Dr Ma'amor Osman shared the same opinion and felt it was time the sincerity of the traders was demanded by also dropping the prices of goods.

“The excuse that the price of petrol has gone up is often cited to raise the prices of goods so when the price of petrol drops, it should be in tandem with a drop in the prices of goods,” he said.

In turn, the people, he said must be thankful to the government and the savings from the price of petrol must be used for other beneficial purposes, and and the need to maintain thrift.

An economics expert at the Economics, Finance and Banking Studies Centre at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Prof Datuk Dr Amir Hussin Baharuddin said petrol price was expected to have a downward trend throughout the year due to the drop in the price of crude oil which was being sold at between US$60 (RM210) to US$80 a barrel.

“The drop in petrol price this time is unexpected and extraordinary.         

“This could be because the United States had constructed 20,000 crude oil wells to meet demand compared to Saudi Arabia which has 2,000 wells,” he said.

Prof Amir Hussin said the drop would see the cost of living also dropping or unchanged, but this still depended on the prices of essential items.

But he projected the matter would bring difficulty to 386,000 rubber tappers and rubber smallholders who were facing a drop in the price of rubber.

He said not many knew if the price of petrol dropped, the price of rubber would also drop, and vice versa.

“The tyre manufacturing industry will use crude oil if its price drops resulting in a drop in the demand for natural rubber. On the other hand, if the price of crude oil is high, the industry would fully use natural rubber to make tyres,” he said.

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said the association was prepared to bring down the prices of food if distributors, wholesalers and producers also reduced their prices.

“Maybe it is still early to speculate as the price of petrol had just been reduced but other costs are still going up such as electricity tariff and shop rental,” he said.

Housewife Norliah Baba, 49, said there was no reduction in the prices of goods currently.

“The prices of the goods I buy at the market are still the same. I hope traders can bring down the prices of goods to help reduce the burden of the low income earners,” she said.

Taxi driver, Dzulkifli Bidin, 60, hoped the prices of car spare parts and lubricants, which had gone up with the past increases in the prices of petrol, would go down with the drop in the price of petrol.

“I hope the government can play its part to survey the prices of goods to ensure distributors and traders will not continue to reap big profits despite the drop in the price of petrol,” he added. ― Bernama


Credit : http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/fomca-lower-petrol-price-does-not-guarantee-cheaper-goods

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 ― The drop in petrol prices does not guarantee a drop in the prices of essential goods and the cost of living as most traders are profit-oriented.
The view was expressed by Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman who was of the opinion that normally a drop in the price of petrol would not influence the prices of goods.
“Prior to this, when the price of fuel dropped, the prices of goods did not. This was because most traders were oriented to profit rather than the welfare of consumers.
“However, when the price of petrol rises even a bit, they are quick to raise the prices of goods,” he said when contacted by Bernama here, today.
Effective today, the government announced a price drop of 35 sen for RON 95 and RON 97 petrol, to RM1.91 and RM2.11 a litre, respectively.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association (PPIM) secretary-general Datuk Dr Maa'mor Osman shared the same opinion and felt it was time the sincerity of the traders was demanded by also dropping the prices of goods.
“The excuse that the price of petrol has gone up is often cited to raise the prices of goods so when the price of petrol drops, it should be in tandem with a drop in the prices of goods,” he said.
In turn, the people, he said must be thankful to the government and the savings from the price of petrol must be used for other beneficial purposes, and and the need to maintain thrift.
An economics expert at the Economics, Finance and Banking Studies Centre at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Prof Datuk Dr Amir Hussin Baharuddin said petrol price was expected to have a downward trend throughout the year due to the drop in the price of crude oil which was being sold at between US$60 (RM210) to US$80 a barrel.
“The drop in petrol price this time is unexpected and extraordinary.       
“This could be because the United States had constructed 20,000 crude oil wells to meet demand compared to Saudi Arabia which has 2,000 wells,” he said.
Prof Amir Hussin said the drop would see the cost of living also dropping or unchanged, but this still depended on the prices of essential items.
But he projected the matter would bring difficulty to 386,000 rubber tappers and rubber smallholders who were facing a drop in the price of rubber.
He said not many knew if the price of petrol dropped, the price of rubber would also drop, and vice versa.
“The tyre manufacturing industry will use crude oil if its price drops resulting in a drop in the demand for natural rubber. On the other hand, if the price of crude oil is high, the industry would fully use natural rubber to make tyres,” he said.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said the association was prepared to bring down the prices of food if distributors, wholesalers and producers also reduced their prices.
“Maybe it is still early to speculate as the price of petrol had just been reduced but other costs are still going up such as electricity tariff and shop rental,” he said.
Housewife Norliah Baba, 49, said there was no reduction in the prices of goods currently.
“The prices of the goods I buy at the market are still the same. I hope traders can bring down the prices of goods to help reduce the burden of the low income earners,” she said.
Taxi driver, Dzulkifli Bidin, 60, hoped the prices of car spare parts and lubricants, which had gone up with the past increases in the prices of petrol, would go down with the drop in the price of petrol.
“I hope the government can play its part to survey the prices of goods to ensure distributors and traders will not continue to reap big profits despite the drop in the price of petrol,” he added. ― Berna
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/fomca-lower-petrol-price-does-not-guarantee-cheaper-goods#sthash.m4znGGCc.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 ― The drop in petrol prices does not guarantee a drop in the prices of essential goods and the cost of living as most traders are profit-oriented.
The view was expressed by Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman who was of the opinion that normally a drop in the price of petrol would not influence the prices of goods.
“Prior to this, when the price of fuel dropped, the prices of goods did not. This was because most traders were oriented to profit rather than the welfare of consumers.
“However, when the price of petrol rises even a bit, they are quick to raise the prices of goods,” he said when contacted by Bernama here, today.
Effective today, the government announced a price drop of 35 sen for RON 95 and RON 97 petrol, to RM1.91 and RM2.11 a litre, respectively.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association (PPIM) secretary-general Datuk Dr Maa'mor Osman shared the same opinion and felt it was time the sincerity of the traders was demanded by also dropping the prices of goods.
“The excuse that the price of petrol has gone up is often cited to raise the prices of goods so when the price of petrol drops, it should be in tandem with a drop in the prices of goods,” he said.
In turn, the people, he said must be thankful to the government and the savings from the price of petrol must be used for other beneficial purposes, and and the need to maintain thrift.
An economics expert at the Economics, Finance and Banking Studies Centre at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Prof Datuk Dr Amir Hussin Baharuddin said petrol price was expected to have a downward trend throughout the year due to the drop in the price of crude oil which was being sold at between US$60 (RM210) to US$80 a barrel.
“The drop in petrol price this time is unexpected and extraordinary.       
“This could be because the United States had constructed 20,000 crude oil wells to meet demand compared to Saudi Arabia which has 2,000 wells,” he said.
Prof Amir Hussin said the drop would see the cost of living also dropping or unchanged, but this still depended on the prices of essential items.
But he projected the matter would bring difficulty to 386,000 rubber tappers and rubber smallholders who were facing a drop in the price of rubber.
He said not many knew if the price of petrol dropped, the price of rubber would also drop, and vice versa.
“The tyre manufacturing industry will use crude oil if its price drops resulting in a drop in the demand for natural rubber. On the other hand, if the price of crude oil is high, the industry would fully use natural rubber to make tyres,” he said.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said the association was prepared to bring down the prices of food if distributors, wholesalers and producers also reduced their prices.
“Maybe it is still early to speculate as the price of petrol had just been reduced but other costs are still going up such as electricity tariff and shop rental,” he said.
Housewife Norliah Baba, 49, said there was no reduction in the prices of goods currently.
“The prices of the goods I buy at the market are still the same. I hope traders can bring down the prices of goods to help reduce the burden of the low income earners,” she said.
Taxi driver, Dzulkifli Bidin, 60, hoped the prices of car spare parts and lubricants, which had gone up with the past increases in the prices of petrol, would go down with the drop in the price of petrol.
“I hope the government can play its part to survey the prices of goods to ensure distributors and traders will not continue to reap big profits despite the drop in the price of petrol,” he added. ― Berna
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/fomca-lower-petrol-price-does-not-guarantee-cheaper-goods#sthash.m4znGGCc.dpufKUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 ― The drop in petrol prices does not guarantee a drop in the prices of essential goods and the cost of living as most traders are profit-oriented.

The view was expressed by Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman who was of the opinion that normally a drop in the price of petrol would not influence the prices of goods.
“Prior to this, when the price of fuel dropped, the prices of goods did not. This was because most traders were oriented to profit rather than the welfare of consumers.
“However, when the price of petrol rises even a bit, they are quick to raise the prices of goods,” he said when contacted by Bernama here, today.
Effective today, the government announced a price drop of 35 sen for RON 95 and RON 97 petrol, to RM1.91 and RM2.11 a litre, respectively.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association (PPIM) secretary-general Datuk Dr Maa'mor Osman shared the same opinion and felt it was time the sincerity of the traders was demanded by also dropping the prices of goods.
“The excuse that the price of petrol has gone up is often cited to raise the prices of goods so when the price of petrol drops, it should be in tandem with a drop in the prices of goods,” he said.
In turn, the people, he said must be thankful to the government and the savings from the price of petrol must be used for other beneficial purposes, and and the need to maintain thrift.
An economics expert at the Economics, Finance and Banking Studies Centre at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Prof Datuk Dr Amir Hussin Baharuddin said petrol price was expected to have a downward trend throughout the year due to the drop in the price of crude oil which was being sold at between US$60 (RM210) to US$80 a barrel.
“The drop in petrol price this time is unexpected and extraordinary.       
“This could be because the United States had constructed 20,000 crude oil wells to meet demand compared to Saudi Arabia which has 2,000 wells,” he said.
Prof Amir Hussin said the drop would see the cost of living also dropping or unchanged, but this still depended on the prices of essential items.
But he projected the matter would bring difficulty to 386,000 rubber tappers and rubber smallholders who were facing a drop in the price of rubber.
He said not many knew if the price of petrol dropped, the price of rubber would also drop, and vice versa.
“The tyre manufacturing industry will use crude oil if its price drops resulting in a drop in the demand for natural rubber. On the other hand, if the price of crude oil is high, the industry would fully use natural rubber to make tyres,” he said.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said the association was prepared to bring down the prices of food if distributors, wholesalers and producers also reduced their prices.
“Maybe it is still early to speculate as the price of petrol had just been reduced but other costs are still going up such as electricity tariff and shop rental,” he said.
Housewife Norliah Baba, 49, said there was no reduction in the prices of goods currently.
“The prices of the goods I buy at the market are still the same. I hope traders can bring down the prices of goods to help reduce the burden of the low income earners,” she said.
Taxi driver, Dzulkifli Bidin, 60, hoped the prices of car spare parts and lubricants, which had gone up with the past increases in the prices of petrol, would go down with the drop in the price of petrol.
“I hope the government can play its part to survey the prices of goods to ensure distributors and traders will not continue to reap big profits despite the drop in the price of petrol,” he added. ― Berna
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/fomca-lower-petrol-price-does-not-guarantee-cheaper-goods#sthash.m4znGGCc.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 ― The drop in petrol prices does not guarantee a drop in the prices of essential goods and the cost of living as most traders are profit-oriented.
The view was expressed by Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman who was of the opinion that normally a drop in the price of petrol would not influence the prices of goods.
“Prior to this, when the price of fuel dropped, the prices of goods did not. This was because most traders were oriented to profit rather than the welfare of consumers.
“However, when the price of petrol rises even a bit, they are quick to raise the prices of goods,” he said when contacted by Bernama here, today.
Effective today, the government announced a price drop of 35 sen for RON 95 and RON 97 petrol, to RM1.91 and RM2.11 a litre, respectively.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association (PPIM) secretary-general Datuk Dr Maa'mor Osman shared the same opinion and felt it was time the sincerity of the traders was demanded by also dropping the prices of goods.
“The excuse that the price of petrol has gone up is often cited to raise the prices of goods so when the price of petrol drops, it should be in tandem with a drop in the prices of goods,” he said.
In turn, the people, he said must be thankful to the government and the savings from the price of petrol must be used for other beneficial purposes, and and the need to maintain thrift.
An economics expert at the Economics, Finance and Banking Studies Centre at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Prof Datuk Dr Amir Hussin Baharuddin said petrol price was expected to have a downward trend throughout the year due to the drop in the price of crude oil which was being sold at between US$60 (RM210) to US$80 a barrel.
“The drop in petrol price this time is unexpected and extraordinary.       
“This could be because the United States had constructed 20,000 crude oil wells to meet demand compared to Saudi Arabia which has 2,000 wells,” he said.
Prof Amir Hussin said the drop would see the cost of living also dropping or unchanged, but this still depended on the prices of essential items.
But he projected the matter would bring difficulty to 386,000 rubber tappers and rubber smallholders who were facing a drop in the price of rubber.
He said not many knew if the price of petrol dropped, the price of rubber would also drop, and vice versa.
“The tyre manufacturing industry will use crude oil if its price drops resulting in a drop in the demand for natural rubber. On the other hand, if the price of crude oil is high, the industry would fully use natural rubber to make tyres,” he said.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said the association was prepared to bring down the prices of food if distributors, wholesalers and producers also reduced their prices.
“Maybe it is still early to speculate as the price of petrol had just been reduced but other costs are still going up such as electricity tariff and shop rental,” he said.
Housewife Norliah Baba, 49, said there was no reduction in the prices of goods currently.
“The prices of the goods I buy at the market are still the same. I hope traders can bring down the prices of goods to help reduce the burden of the low income earners,” she said.
Taxi driver, Dzulkifli Bidin, 60, hoped the prices of car spare parts and lubricants, which had gone up with the past increases in the prices of petrol, would go down with the drop in the price of petrol.
“I hope the government can play its part to survey the prices of goods to ensure distributors and traders will not continue to reap big profits despite the drop in the price of petrol,” he added. ― Berna
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/fomca-lower-petrol-price-does-not-guarantee-cheaper-goods#sthash.m4znGGCc.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 ― The drop in petrol prices does not guarantee a drop in the prices of essential goods and the cost of living as most traders are profit-oriented.
The view was expressed by Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman who was of the opinion that normally a drop in the price of petrol would not influence the prices of goods.
“Prior to this, when the price of fuel dropped, the prices of goods did not. This was because most traders were oriented to profit rather than the welfare of consumers.
“However, when the price of petrol rises even a bit, they are quick to raise the prices of goods,” he said when contacted by Bernama here, today.
Effective today, the government announced a price drop of 35 sen for RON 95 and RON 97 petrol, to RM1.91 and RM2.11 a litre, respectively.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association (PPIM) secretary-general Datuk Dr Maa'mor Osman shared the same opinion and felt it was time the sincerity of the traders was demanded by also dropping the prices of goods.
“The excuse that the price of petrol has gone up is often cited to raise the prices of goods so when the price of petrol drops, it should be in tandem with a drop in the prices of goods,” he said.
In turn, the people, he said must be thankful to the government and the savings from the price of petrol must be used for other beneficial purposes, and and the need to maintain thrift.
An economics expert at the Economics, Finance and Banking Studies Centre at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Prof Datuk Dr Amir Hussin Baharuddin said petrol price was expected to have a downward trend throughout the year due to the drop in the price of crude oil which was being sold at between US$60 (RM210) to US$80 a barrel.
“The drop in petrol price this time is unexpected and extraordinary.       
“This could be because the United States had constructed 20,000 crude oil wells to meet demand compared to Saudi Arabia which has 2,000 wells,” he said.
Prof Amir Hussin said the drop would see the cost of living also dropping or unchanged, but this still depended on the prices of essential items.
But he projected the matter would bring difficulty to 386,000 rubber tappers and rubber smallholders who were facing a drop in the price of rubber.
He said not many knew if the price of petrol dropped, the price of rubber would also drop, and vice versa.
“The tyre manufacturing industry will use crude oil if its price drops resulting in a drop in the demand for natural rubber. On the other hand, if the price of crude oil is high, the industry would fully use natural rubber to make tyres,” he said.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said the association was prepared to bring down the prices of food if distributors, wholesalers and producers also reduced their prices.
“Maybe it is still early to speculate as the price of petrol had just been reduced but other costs are still going up such as electricity tariff and shop rental,” he said.
Housewife Norliah Baba, 49, said there was no reduction in the prices of goods currently.
“The prices of the goods I buy at the market are still the same. I hope traders can bring down the prices of goods to help reduce the burden of the low income earners,” she said.
Taxi driver, Dzulkifli Bidin, 60, hoped the prices of car spare parts and lubricants, which had gone up with the past increases in the prices of petrol, would go down with the drop in the price of petrol.
“I hope the government can play its part to survey the prices of goods to ensure distributors and traders will not continue to reap big profits despite the drop in the price of petrol,” he added. ― Berna
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/fomca-lower-petrol-price-does-not-guarantee-cheaper-goods#sthash.m4znGGCc.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 ― The drop in petrol prices does not guarantee a drop in the prices of essential goods and the cost of living as most traders are profit-oriented.
The view was expressed by Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman who was of the opinion that normally a drop in the price of petrol would not influence the prices of goods.
“Prior to this, when the price of fuel dropped, the prices of goods did not. This was because most traders were oriented to profit rather than the welfare of consumers.
“However, when the price of petrol rises even a bit, they are quick to raise the prices of goods,” he said when contacted by Bernama here, today.
Effective today, the government announced a price drop of 35 sen for RON 95 and RON 97 petrol, to RM1.91 and RM2.11 a litre, respectively.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association (PPIM) secretary-general Datuk Dr Maa'mor Osman shared the same opinion and felt it was time the sincerity of the traders was demanded by also dropping the prices of goods.
“The excuse that the price of petrol has gone up is often cited to raise the prices of goods so when the price of petrol drops, it should be in tandem with a drop in the prices of goods,” he said.
In turn, the people, he said must be thankful to the government and the savings from the price of petrol must be used for other beneficial purposes, and and the need to maintain thrift.
An economics expert at the Economics, Finance and Banking Studies Centre at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Prof Datuk Dr Amir Hussin Baharuddin said petrol price was expected to have a downward trend throughout the year due to the drop in the price of crude oil which was being sold at between US$60 (RM210) to US$80 a barrel.
“The drop in petrol price this time is unexpected and extraordinary.       
“This could be because the United States had constructed 20,000 crude oil wells to meet demand compared to Saudi Arabia which has 2,000 wells,” he said.
Prof Amir Hussin said the drop would see the cost of living also dropping or unchanged, but this still depended on the prices of essential items.
But he projected the matter would bring difficulty to 386,000 rubber tappers and rubber smallholders who were facing a drop in the price of rubber.
He said not many knew if the price of petrol dropped, the price of rubber would also drop, and vice versa.
“The tyre manufacturing industry will use crude oil if its price drops resulting in a drop in the demand for natural rubber. On the other hand, if the price of crude oil is high, the industry would fully use natural rubber to make tyres,” he said.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said the association was prepared to bring down the prices of food if distributors, wholesalers and producers also reduced their prices.
“Maybe it is still early to speculate as the price of petrol had just been reduced but other costs are still going up such as electricity tariff and shop rental,” he said.
Housewife Norliah Baba, 49, said there was no reduction in the prices of goods currently.
“The prices of the goods I buy at the market are still the same. I hope traders can bring down the prices of goods to help reduce the burden of the low income earners,” she said.
Taxi driver, Dzulkifli Bidin, 60, hoped the prices of car spare parts and lubricants, which had gone up with the past increases in the prices of petrol, would go down with the drop in the price of petrol.
“I hope the government can play its part to survey the prices of goods to ensure distributors and traders will not continue to reap big profits despite the drop in the price of petrol,” he added. ― Berna
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/fomca-lower-petrol-price-does-not-guarantee-cheaper-goods#sthash.m4znGGCc.dpuf

2313) UTUSAN - 03/01/2015 - MyCC Perlu Siasat Persatuan Peniaga

 

KUALA LUMPUR 2 Jan. - Suruhanjaya Persaingan Malaysia (MyCC) digesa menyiasat persatuan peniaga yang didakwa berpakat menaikkan harga barang dengan sewenang-wenangnya atas alasan harga minyak naik.

Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan (gambar) berkata, langkah itu perlu bagi mengekang sikap tidak bertanggungjawab pemborong, peruncit dan peniaga terbabit yang tidak pula menurunkan harga barang apabila harga bahan bakar diturunkan.
“Saya menggesa pihak berkaitan khususnya MyCC untuk menggerakkan operasi dan menyiasat setiap persatuan peniaga yang begitu mudah meletakkan harga pada kadar yang tidak masuk akal dengan alasan harga minyak naik.
“Sepatutnya, mereka mengamalkan perniagaan yang jujur dan ikhlas dengan menurunkan harga barang apabila harga bahan bakar diturunkan,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini

- See more at: http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/nasional/mycc-perlu-siasat-persatuan-peniaga-1.43903#sthash.LclyljqX.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR 2 Jan. - Suruhanjaya Persaingan Malaysia (MyCC) digesa menyiasat persatuan peniaga yang didakwa berpakat menaikkan harga barang dengan sewenang-wenangnya atas alasan harga minyak naik.
 

Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan (gambar) berkata, langkah itu perlu bagi mengekang sikap tidak bertanggungjawab pemborong, peruncit dan peniaga terbabit yang tidak pula menurunkan harga barang apabila harga bahan bakar diturunkan.
 

“Saya menggesa pihak berkaitan khususnya MyCC untuk menggerakkan operasi dan menyiasat setiap persatuan peniaga yang begitu mudah meletakkan harga pada kadar yang tidak masuk akal dengan alasan harga minyak naik.
 

“Sepatutnya, mereka mengamalkan perniagaan yang jujur dan ikhlas dengan menurunkan harga barang apabila harga bahan bakar diturunkan,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
 

Mulai semalam, harga petrol RON95 dan RON97 turun sebanyak 35 sen seliter manakala harga diesel turun sebanyak 30 sen setiap liter.
 

Sementara itu, Presiden Persatuan Pengguna Subang dan Shah Alam (CASSA), Datuk Dr. Jacob George berkata, sudah sampai masanya untuk peniaga menurunkan harga barang yang sebelum ini dinaikkan dengan alasan harga minyak naik.
 

“Tanggungjawab ini perlu dimainkan oleh semua pihak bagi memastikan keadilan yang sama diperoleh masyarakat.
 

“Jangan pula kita lupa atau buat-buat lupa tentang perkara ini. Jadi, kita perlu bertimbang rasa sesama kita,” ujarnya.
 

Presiden Lembaga Pelindung dan Kebajikan Pengguna Malaysia (LPKPM), Datuk Seri Saharuddin Awang Yahya turut mendesak para peniaga menurunkan harga barang selari dengan harga baharu bahan bakar bagi membantu mengurangkan bebanan kos sara hidup yang dialami pengguna.
 

Menurut beliau, langkah itu wajar dipertimbangkan menjelang pembukaan penggal baharu persekolahan selain sebahagian besar rakyat di negara ini terjejas akibat bencana banjir.
 

“Inilah masanya untuk peniaga bersama-sama dengan kerajaan membantu mengurangkan bebanan pengguna atau rakyat. Jika sebelum ini mereka menaikkan harga barang kerana harga minyak naik, maka sekarang ini apabila harga minyak turun, mereka pun sepatutnya turunkan harga barang,” katanya ketika dihubungi di sini hari ini.

Sumber : http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/nasional/mycc-perlu-siasat-persatuan-peniaga-1.43903

KUALA LUMPUR 2 Jan. - Suruhanjaya Persaingan Malaysia (MyCC) digesa menyiasat persatuan peniaga yang didakwa berpakat menaikkan harga barang dengan sewenang-wenangnya atas alasan harga minyak naik.

Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan (gambar) berkata, langkah itu perlu bagi mengekang sikap tidak bertanggungjawab pemborong, peruncit dan peniaga terbabit yang tidak pula menurunkan harga barang apabila harga bahan bakar diturunkan.
“Saya menggesa pihak berkaitan khususnya MyCC untuk menggerakkan operasi dan menyiasat setiap persatuan peniaga yang begitu mudah meletakkan harga pada kadar yang tidak masuk akal dengan alasan harga minyak naik.
“Sepatutnya, mereka mengamalkan perniagaan yang jujur dan ikhlas dengan menurunkan harga barang apabila harga bahan bakar diturunkan,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
Mulai semalam, harga petrol RON95 dan RON97 turun sebanyak 35 sen seliter manakala harga diesel turun sebanyak 30 sen setiap liter.
Sementara itu, Presiden Persatuan Pengguna Subang dan Shah Alam (CASSA), Datuk Dr. Jacob George berkata, sudah sampai masanya untuk peniaga menurunkan harga barang yang sebelum ini dinaikkan dengan alasan harga minyak naik.
“Tanggungjawab ini perlu dimainkan oleh semua pihak bagi memastikan keadilan yang sama diperoleh masyarakat.
“Jangan pula kita lupa atau buat-buat lupa tentang perkara ini. Jadi, kita perlu bertimbang rasa sesama kita,” ujarnya.
Presiden Lembaga Pelindung dan Kebajikan Pengguna Malaysia (LPKPM), Datuk Seri Saharuddin Awang Yahya turut mendesak para peniaga menurunkan harga barang selari dengan harga baharu bahan bakar bagi membantu mengurangkan bebanan kos sara hidup yang dialami pengguna.
Menurut beliau, langkah itu wajar dipertimbangkan menjelang pembukaan penggal baharu persekolahan selain sebahagian besar rakyat di negara ini terjejas akibat bencana banjir.
“Inilah masanya untuk peniaga bersama-sama dengan kerajaan membantu mengurangkan bebanan pengguna atau rakyat. Jika sebelum ini mereka menaikkan harga barang kerana harga minyak naik, maka sekarang ini apabila harga minyak turun, mereka pun sepatutnya turunkan harga barang,” katanya ketika dihubungi di sini hari ini.

- See more at: http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/nasional/mycc-perlu-siasat-persatuan-peniaga-1.43903#sthash.LclyljqX.dpuf

2308) SINAR HARIAN - 01/01/2015 - Penurunan Harga Petrol Tak Jamin Barang Murah

KUALA LUMPUR - Penurunan harga petrol tidak menjamin penurunan harga barang keperluan serta kos sara hidup memandangkan kebanyakan peniaga lebih berorientasikan keuntungan.

Pandangan itu dizahirkan Timbalan Presiden Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman yang berpendapat penurunan harga petrol pada kebiasaannya tidak akan mempengaruhi penurunan harga barang.

"Jika tengok sejarah sebelum ini pun, apabila minyak turun harga, harga barang tidak akan turun. Ini kerana kebanyakan peniaga lebih berorientasikan keuntungan berbanding kebajikan pengguna.

"Tetapi apabila harga petrol naik sedikit pun, cepat sahaja mereka naikkan harga," katanya ketika dihubungi Bernama di sini hari ini.

Kerajaan mengumumkan harga runcit bagi petrol RON95 dan RON97 diturunkan sebanyak 35 sen, masing-masing kepada RM1.91 seliter dan RM2.11 seliter, berkuat kuasa hari ini.

Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia Datuk Dr Ma'amor Osman turut berpendapat sudah tiba masanya kejujuran peniaga dituntut untuk turut sama menurunkan harga barangan. 

"Alasan harga petrol naik sering digunakan untuk menaikkan harga barang, jadi bila harga petrol turun ia perlu diselarikan dengan penurunan harga barang," katanya.

Rakyat pula, menurutnya perlu berterima kasih kepada kerajaan dan penjimatan daripada penurunan harga petrol itu perlu digunakan untuk tujuan lain yang bermanfaat di samping perlu meneruskan amalan berjimat cermat.    

Pakar Ekonomi Pusat Pengajian Ekonomi, Kewangan dan Perbankan, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Prof Datuk Dr Amir Hussin Baharuddin berkata harga petrol dijangka menunjukkan trend penurunan sepanjang tahun  ini, ekoran harga minyak mentah dijual antara USD60 dan USD80 setong.

"Penurunan harga petrol kali ini memang tidak dijangka dan merupakan perkara yang luar biasa.

"Perkara itu mungkin kerana Amerika Syarikat telah membina 20,000 telaga minyak mentah untuk menampung permintaan berbanding Arab Saudi yang mempunyai 2,000 telaga," katanya.

Amir Hussin berkata penurunan itu bakal menyaksikan kos sara hidup sama ada menurun atau tidak berubah, tetap bergantung kepada harga barang keperluan. 

Namun, beliau meramalkan perkara itu akan menyukarkan kira-kira 386,000 penoreh dan pekebun kecil getah yang terpaksa berdepan dengan penurunan harga getah.

Beliau berkata banyak pihak tidak mengetahui bahawa jika harga petrol menurun, harga getah asli juga akan menurun dan sebaliknya.

"Industri pembuatan tayar akan menggunakan minyak mentah jika harganya turun menyebabkan permintaan getah asli menurun sebaliknya jika harga minyak mentah tinggi industri berkenaan akan menggunakan sepenuhnya getah asli untuk membuat tayar," katanya.

Presiden Persatuan Pengusaha Restoran Muslim Malaysia Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed berkata persatuan itu bersedia menurunkan harga barangan makanan sekiranya pengedar, pemborong dan pengeluar turut menurunkan harga. 

"Mungkin masih awal untuk membuat andaian memandangkan harga petrol baru diturunkan tapi kos lain masih meningkat seperti tarif elektrik dan sewa kedai," katanya.

Suri rumah Norliah Baba, 49, berkata pada masa ini, beliau belum melihat sebarang penurunan pada harga barang.

"Masa beli barang di pasar harga masih sama, saya berharap peniaga dapat menurunkan harga barang dapatlah membantu mengurangkan beban golongan berpendapatan rendah," katanya.

Pemandu teksi Dzulkifli Bidin, 60, berharap penurunan harga petrol akan menurunkan harga alat ganti seperti minyak pelincir yang harganya meningkat sejak kenaikan harga minyak.

"Saya berharap kerajaan dapat memainkan peranan supaya meninjau harga barangan bagi memastikan pengedar dan peniaga tidak terus mengaut keuntungan berlipat ganda walaupun harga petrol sudah turun," katanya. - Bernama

Sumber : http://www.sinarharian.com.my/nasional/penurunan-harga-petrol-tak-jamin-barang-murah-1.346666

2307) KOSMO - 02/01/2015 - Harga Minyak Turun Tidak Jamin Barang Jadi Murah

2305) ASTRO AWANI - 01/01/2015 - Drop in petrol prices Does Not Guarantee Cheaper Goods

KUALA LUMPUR: The drop in petrol prices does not guarantee a drop in the prices of essential goods and the cost of living as most traders are profit-oriented.

The view was expressed by Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (FOMCA) deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman who opined that normally a drop in the price of petrol would not influence the prices of goods.

"Prior to this, when the price of fuel dropped, the prices of goods did not. This was because most traders were oriented to profit rather than the welfare of consumers.

"However, when the price of petrol rises even a bit, they are quick to raise the prices of goods," he said when contacted by BernamaThursday.

Effective today, the government announced a price drop of 35 sen for RON 95 and RON 97 petrol, to RM1.91 and RM2.11 a litre, respectively.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association (PPIM) secretary-general Datuk Dr Ma'amor Osman shared the same opinion and felt it was time the sincerity of the traders was demanded by also dropping the prices of goods.

"The excuse that the price of petrol has gone up is often cited to raise the prices of goods so when the price of petrol drops, it should be in tandem with a drop in the prices of goods," he said.

In turn, the people, he said must be thankful to the government and the savings from the price of petrol must be used for other beneficial purposes, and and the need to maintain thrift.

An economics expert at the Economics, Finance and Banking Studies Centre at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Prof Datuk Dr Amir Hussin Baharuddin said petrol price was expected to have a downward trend throughout the year due to the drop in the price of crude oil which was being sold at between US$60 to US$80 a barrel.

"The drop in petrol price this time is unexpected and extraordinary.

"This could be because the United States had constructed 20,000 crude oil wells to meet demand compared to Saudi Arabia which has 2,000 wells," he said.

Prof Amir Hussin said the drop would see the cost of living also dropping or unchanged, but this still depended on the prices of essential items.

But he projected the matter would bring difficulty to 386,000 rubber tappers and rubber smallholders who were facing a drop in the price of rubber.

He said not many knew if the price of petrol dropped, the price of rubber would also drop, and vice versa.

"The tyre manufacturing industry will use crude oil if its price drops resulting in a drop in the demand for natural rubber. On the other hand, if the price of crude oil is high, the industry would fully use natural rubber to make tyres," he said.

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said the association was prepared to bring down the prices of food if distributors, wholesalers and producers also reduced their prices.

"Maybe it is still early to speculate as the price of petrol had just been reduced but other costs are still going up such as electricity tariff and shop rental," he said.

Housewife Norliah Baba, 49, said there was no reduction in the prices of goods currently.

"The prices of the goods I buy at the market are still the same. I hope traders can bring down the prices of goods to help reduce the burden of the low income earners," she said.

Taxi driver, Dzulkifli Bidin, 60, hoped the prices of car spare parts and lubricants, which had gone up with the past increases in the prices of petrol, would go down with the drop in the price of petrol.

"I hope the government can play its part to survey the prices of goods to ensure distributors and traders will not continue to reap big profits despite the drop in the price of petrol," he added.

Credit : http://english.astroawani.com/news/show/drop-petrol-prices-does-not-guarantee-cheaper-goods-51135

2304) ASTRO AWANI - 01/01/2015 - Harga Barang Tidak Turun?

VIDEO - http://www.astroawani.com/videos/show/awani-7-45/harga-barang-tidak-turun-47624

Berikutan penurunan harga minyak, orang ramai terutamanya yang berpendapatan sederhana dinasihat agar berbelanja dengan lebih bijak. 

Golongan peniaga pula diingatkan agar tidak mengambil kesempatan menaikkan harga barangan. Perkara itu dinyatakan gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia, FOMCA.

2240) BERITA HARIAN - 2/11/2014 - Syor Golongan Sasaran Diberi Subsidi Khas

2215) ARKIB BERITA PPIM 28/10/2014 - BERNAMA - Kerajaan Disaran Naikkan Cukai Jalan Kenderaan Mewah

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Kerajaan disaran menaikkan kadar cukai jalan bagi kenderaan mewah berbanding menjual harga petrol RON95 kepada golongan berpendapatan tinggi mengikut harga pasaran, dalam usahanya menampung keperluan subsidi rakyat, demikian menurut seorang ahli akademik.

Pensyarah Fakulti Ekonomi dan Perniagaan, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Prof Dr Shazali Abu Mansor berkata pengguna seharusnya diberi kebebasan untuk memilih sama ada ingin menggunakan petrol RON95 atau RON97.

"Mungkin ada pengguna berpendapatan rendah ingin menggunakan RON97 kita tidak boleh halang dan mungkin juga pengguna berpendapatan tinggi mahu menggunakan RON95 kerana mengikut kesesuaian kenderaan berkenaan," katanya mengulas ura-ura kerajaan itu.

Khamis lepas, Timbalan Menteri Kewangan Datuk Ahmad Maslan dilapor sebagai berkata harga jualan petrol RON95 bagi golongan berpendapatan tinggi adalah berdasarkan harga pasaran mulai Jun tahun hadapan.

Harga RON95 yang disubsidi ketika ini ialah RM2.30 seliter dan harga RON97 adalah RM2.80.

PERTIMBANG LANGKAH

Shazali menggesa kerajaan mempertimbangkan semula keputusan yang menetapkan golongan berpendapatan tinggi membayar harga pasaran untuk RON95, merujuk kepada ketiadaan mekanisme yang betul untuk membuat pengiraan pendapatan sebenar pemilik kereta.

"Kos sara hidup telah meningkat dan mereka (dalam semua kumpulan pendapatan) telah mengikat perut mereka...rakyat mengambil pelbagai pendekatan untuk mengurangkan perbelanjaan mereka. Adalah tidak adil untuk membebankan mereka," katanya kepada Bernama.

Justeru untuk bertindak adil dan saksama, beliau mencadangkan supaya kerajaan menaikkan cukai jalan bagi kenderaan mewah untuk mengimbangi subsidi yang diperuntukkan kepada petrol RON95.

"Apa yang saya katakan ialah meningkatkan cukai jalan (untuk kereta mewah) tetapi membiarkan mereka (pemilik) terus menggunakan subsidi petrol RON95," katanya.

PENDAPATAN ISI RUMAH

Naib Presiden Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna-Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca) Siti Rahayu Zakaria berkata mengkaji semula penyelarasan mekanisme pemberian subsidi harus dibuat berdasarkan semua peringkat termasuk pendapatan isi rumah.

"Kita tidak mempunyai sebarang mekanisme yang boleh mengukur dan mensyaratkan supaya pengguna menggunakan RON95 bergantung kepada pendapatan mereka.

"Saya rasa ini bergantung kepada tanggungjawab sosial mereka (golongan berpendapatan tinggi) sekiranya mereka ingin membantu golongan pendapatan sederhana mungkin mereka boleh membeli petrol yang tiada subsidi kerajaan," katanya.

Mengulas lanjut, beliau berkata golongan berpendapatan tinggi dan sederhana mempunyai persamaan daripada corak perbelanjaan memandangkan mereka menghadapi tekanan dengan kos sara hidup yang tinggi.

"Kita boleh mengukur daripada segi pendapatan tetapi kita tidak boleh mengukur daripada segi tanggungan contohnya jika individu itu mempunyai pendapatan sekitar RM5,000 dan mempunyai lima orang anak maka corak perbelanjaan mereka berbeza.

"Bagi mereka berpendapatan RM10,000 ke atas dan memakai kereta mewah mungkin anak mereka hanya seorang dua jadi corak perbelanjaan mereka dan gaya hidup mereka berbeza," katanya.

Yang sedemikian, Siti Rahayu berkata jika kerajaan ingin memperkenalkan sistem kad bagi penggunaan membeli petrol bersubdidi, sistem itu hendaklah bukan sahaja mengambil kira pendapatan isi rumah tetapi juga jumlah keseluruhan perbelanjaan.

UBAH MENTALITI

Sementara itu, Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM) Datuk Nadzim Johan berkata beliau menyokong langkah kerajaan untuk hanya membenarkan golongan berpendapatan rendah membeli bahan bakar bersubsidi.

"Adalah adil bagi golongan berpendapatan tinggi membayar RON95 mengikut harga pasaran. Subsidi kerajaan seharusnya disasarkan kepada kumpulan yang benar-benar memerlukan," katanya.

Menyarankan para pengguna mengambil langkah penjimatan berkesan dengan merancang perbelanjaan serta mengawal aliran keluar masuk kewangan, beliau berkata mereka juga seharusnya memikirkan usaha untuk menambah sumber pendapatan keluarga dan merancang perjalanan dalam situasi bahan bakar yang meningkat.

-- BERNAMA

Sumber : http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/newsindex.php?id=1079982