Diesel price jumps 50 sen to RM6.02 per litre, while RON97 petrol falls 20 sen, with the government maintaining targeted subsidies and cash aid.
PETALING JAYA: Diesel prices surged past the RM6 mark this week, piling fresh pressure on consumers and businesses, even as petrol users saw slight relief under Malaysia’s latest fuel price revision.
For the period of April 2 to 8, unsubsidised diesel in Peninsular Malaysia will rise sharply by 50 sen to RM6.02 a litre from RM5.52, while RON97 will drop by 20 sen to RM4.95 a litre from RM5.15.
Unsubsidised RON95 remains unchanged at RM3.87 a litre.
In a statement yesterday, the Finance Ministry attributed the mixed adjustment to sustained volatility in the global energy market, particularly involving crude oil and refined fuel benchmarks.
“The prolonged global energy crisis has driven Brent crude prices up by more than 40%, exceeding US$100 per barrel.
“More critically, the prices of refined petrol and diesel have also surged to US$150 per barrel and US$250 per barrel respectively, placing pressure on the retail selling prices of both products.”
Despite the latest market-linked revision, Putrajaya said subsidised rates for targeted groups would remain intact, including RM1.99 a litre for RON95 under Budi95, RM2.15 for diesel in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, RM2.05 under SKPS, and RM2.15 under SKDS.
“Since the West Asia crisis erupted, the government has not fully floated retail pump prices and has continued absorbing part of the subsidy cost for petrol and diesel for three consecutive weeks.
“Efforts to maintain subsidised petroleum prices for the public and selected sectors will continue to be strengthened to curb rising goods prices and protect the people’s well-being.”
As an interim measure following the diesel hike, the government said it will maintain the additional RM100 Budi Diesel cash aid in April, bringing total assistance to RM300 for Budi Individu and Budi Agri-Komoditi recipients.
It added that medium- and long-term measures are being considered to ensure the subsidy mechanism remains sustainable, transparent and beneficial to the rakyat amid the ongoing global energy crunch and its wider market implications.
