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

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

2320) TVPPIM - 06/01/2015 - Lepas Banjir, Minyak Turun, Peniaga Zalim Naik Harga Barang

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

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

2225) ARKIB BERITA PPIM - 30/10/2014 UTUSAN - Minyak Masak Kitar Semula

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Okt. - Hampir 90 peratus minyak masak di pasaran dipercayai hasil daripada kegiatan kitar semula minyak masak yang telah digunakan.

Perkara itu didedahkan Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan yang sekali gus mendesak kerajaan memandangkan serius isu terbabit kerana boleh menjejaskan kesihatan pengguna.

Malah, menurut beliau, aktiviti kutipan, penghasilan dan jualan minyak masak terpakai telah lama berlaku di negara ini serta merupakan satu industri yang besar.

Lebih mengejutkan lagi, sebahagian besar minyak masak dikitar semula itu dijual dalam bentuk paket.

“Mereka (pengusaha) membeli minyak masak terpakai di restoran makanan segera untuk dikitar semula dan kemudiannya dicampur dengan minyak baharu," katanya dalam sidang akhbar di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata, hasil soal selidik yang dijalankan aktivis PPIM melibatkan kira-kira 70 buah restoran dan gerai makan di beberapa kawasan di sekitar Kuala Lumpur mendapati kebanyakan peniaga menggunakan minyak masak kitar semula.

“Minyak masak yang dipaketkan itu bukan daripada jenama terkenal dan ramai peniaga yang tidak sedar mereka menggunakan minyak masak kitar semula," katanya.

Menurut Nadzim, status halal minyak masak itu juga meragukan kerana mungkin diambil daripada restoran bukan Islam.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, pihak berkaitan seperti Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim), Kementerian Kesihatan, Lembaga Minyak Sawit Malaysia (MPOB) dan Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan perlu bekerjasama membanteras aktiviti tersebut.

“Selain menipu pengguna, pengusaha terlibat turut mengeksport minyak masak itu dengan mendakwa produk tersebut adalah halal," katanya.

Sementara itu, Pengurus Pembangunan Perniagaan Kris Biofuels Sdn. Bhd., Ja’afar Abdullah memberitahu, aktiviti kutipan dan jualan minyak masak terpakai melanggar undang-undang dan peraturan MPOB.

Katanya, lesen yang dikeluarkan MPOB dengan jelas menyatakan penggunaan minyak masak kitar semula hanya bagi tujuan menghasilkan produk biofuel.

“Isu ini wajar ditangani segera kerana dari segi kesihatan minyak masak ini jika digunakan semula sebanyak tiga kali akan menghasilkan komponen radikal bebas yang boleh mengakibatkan kanser dan kerosakan hati," katanya.

Sumber : http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/Dalam_Negeri/20131031/dn_06/Minyak-masak-kitar-semula

2193) UTUSAN 29/10/2014 - Subsidi Petrol Perlu Adil Mengikut Tanggungan

KUALA LUMPUR 28 Okt. – Kerajaan perlu memastikan kaedah pelaksanaan subsidi petrol yang lebih adil kepada semua pihak termasuk yang memperoleh gaji bulanan melebihi RM10,000 dengan mengambil kira tanggungan mereka.

Presiden Persatuan Pengguna Subang dan Shah Alam (CASSA), Datuk Dr. Jacob George berkata, langkah kerajaan yang hanya memberikan subsidi petrol kepada mereka yang berpendapatan rendah dan menengah dilihat seolah-olah `menganiaya’ segelintir rakyat yang memiliki gaji yang tinggi tetapi mempunyai tanggungan yang besar.

Beliau berkata, kerajaan seharusnya mengambil kira perbelanjaan yang harus ditanggung oleh mereka yang memperoleh gaji melebihi RM10,000 namun terpaksa menampung kos sara hidup yang tinggi termasuk bayaran rumah, tanggungan keluarga dan perbelanjaan harian.

“Bagi CASSA, langkah kerajaan tidak memberikan subsidi petrol kepada mereka yang bujang dan mempunyai pendapatan lebih RM10,000 sebulan mungkin sesuai tetapi akan membebankan mereka yang memperoleh nilai gaji yang sama tetapi mempunyai tanggungan yang banyak.

“Sehubungan itu, CASSA memin­ta kerajaan mengkaji semula kaedah pemberian subsidi ini termasuk nilai gaji yang diperolehi setiap bulan kerana pendapatan RM10,000 sebulan bukan penanda aras kekayaan seseorang,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas kenyataan Menteri Kewangan II, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadz­lah semalam iaitu golongan berpendapat­an tinggi iaitu melebihi RM10,000 sebulan tidak akan menerima subsidi petrol dan perlu membayarnya mengikut harga pasaran.

Menurut Ahmad Husni, ini kerana nilai pemberian subsidi petrol yang akan diumumkan kerajaan adalah berdasarkan kumpulan pendapatan yang akan ditentukan nanti.

Jacob berkata, bagi mengelak daripada sebarang permasalahan, kerajaan diminta mementingkan kesemua golongan yang ada di negara ini serta mengkaji lebih mendalam keperluan mereka bagi merealisasikan pelaksanaan mekanisme baharu pemberian subsidi petrol.

Sementara itu, Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan berkata, pihaknya menyambut baik langkah yang diperkenalkan oleh kerajaan itu malah menyifatkan mekanisme itu perlu dilaksanakan lebih awal bagi keselesaan mereka yang berpendapatan rendah dan menengah.

“Kerajaan akan membahagikan secara adil subsidi yang tidak diberikan kepada mereka yang berpendapatan tinggi untuk kegunaan mereka yang berpendapatan rendah dan menengah.

“Subsidi yang diberikan amat bagus bagi membantu mereka yang berpendapatan rendah dan ini berbentuk bantuan kepada rakyat,” katanya.

Sumber : http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/nasional/subsidi-petrol-perlu-adil-mengikut-tanggungan-1.18043

2189) NEWS STRAITS TIMES 27/10/2014 - Different Subsidy Tiers For Fuel?

KUALA LUMPUR: THE impending fuel subsidy rationalisation programme, to be rolled out next year, should have tiers of subsidies for different levels of income, said consumer rights activist Datuk Nadzim Johan.

He said such a system, if adopted by the programme, would ensure that the distribution of subsidies was fair and would reach the intended target groups.

Nadzim, who is the chief activist for the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association, said for the system to work, the government needed to have comprehensive data on individuals’ incomes and assets.

“Another option is for those who wish to be eligible for subsidised fuel to apply for the benefit. The applicants will then have to declare their monthly incomes and monetary allowances as well as their debts, covering all types of loans.”

Nadzim said the declaration of incomes, assets and debts would help the government obtain a clearer picture of one’s purchasing power and determine which tier the person would come under.

“If a person drives a small car, for example, he or she will need a certain amount of petrol each week.

“For someone with a fixed income of RM3,000 a month and who drives his father’s luxury car, he uses a different amount of petrol than a person driving a smaller car.

“How will the government address and solve this?”

Nadzim said those eligible for subsidised fuel should also be allotted a specific amount of fuel each week for their consumption.

“Such a limit for each individual will prevent others from different tiers from using other people’s monthly allocation.

“Once an individual finishes his allocation, he or she can purchase fuel at non-subsidised rates until the week or month ends, depending on which cycle the system adopts.”

Last Thursday, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan had said that those in the high-income bracket would have to pay market price for RON95 petrol from June next year.

He had said the mechanism and method of implementation were being finalised by the Finance Ministry and the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.

Ahmad had also said that a similar system would be implemented for diesel in January, through the use of fleet cards.

Economist Professor Dr Hoo Ke Ping suggested that the type of vehicle owned by an individual should be one of the factors to determine whether one is eligible for subsidised fuel and its quota, either on a weekly or monthly basis.

“If the government uses MyKad or a specific subsidy card, a specific amount of fuel may be set in the card,” he said, adding that the type of vehicle plays a big role in an individual’s daily or monthly expenses.

Speaking of identifying people deserving of help, Hoo said it was a simple technical procedure.

“The government should also embark on a campaign to create public awareness about the programme,” he said, adding that this would avoid any public backlash.

Credit : http://www.nst.com.my/node/46551

2187) BERNAMA 27/10/2014 - 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

1973) BERITA HARIAN 2/6/2014 - Mekanisme sesuai perlu: PPIM

Kuala Lumpur: Mekanisme baharu penjualan minyak subsidi sepatutnya dilaksana lebih awal bagi memastikan hanya pengguna layak mendapat manfaat dari bantuan kerajaan itu.

Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan, berkata pengguna sudah lama menunggu pelaksanaan sistem itu kerana mekanisme sedia ada didapati tidak adil dan gagal membela nasib rakyat. 
“Mekanisme sekarang menggunakan sistem terbuka di mana sesiapa sahaja dapat membeli minyak subsidi sehingga golongan kaya yang tidak memerlukan bantuan mendapat manfaat. 

“Hasil penjimatan daripada mekanisme baharu ini boleh digunakan kerajaan bagi memberi lebih banyak manfaat kepada orang ramai seperti menaik taraf infrastruktur atau membaiki kemudahan bagi tentera dan polis,” katanya ketika dihubungi BH.

Beliau mengulas cadangan pelaksanaan sistem baharu penjualan diesel dan petrol bersubsidi untuk kenderaan komersial mulai 1 September, manakala bagi kenderaan persendirian pada 1 Oktober atau November depan.

Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad, berkata melalui sistem itu, kerajaan menjangka mampu menjimatkan lebih RM9.8 bilion subsidi minyak selain memastikan hanya mereka yang berhak dan layak menikmati kemudahan subsidi berkenaan. 

Langkah itu adalah bagi memastikan hanya rakyat negara ini yang berhak mendapat subsidi serta mengelak kegiatan penyeludupan dan penjualan minyak kepada pihak berkepentingan. 
Sementara itu, Timbalan Presiden Persatuan Pengusaha Stesen Minyak Malaysia (PDAM), Datuk Hashim Othman berkata, pihaknya masih belum menerima sebarang arahan daripada KPDNKK mengenai pelaksanaan mekanisme baharu berkenaan.