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THE statement by PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang questioning the increase in diesel prices in the Peninsula is not only misleading, but also repeats an old pattern.
“When faced with complex economic issues, the answers offered remain simplistic, as if the reality of the world can be changed only with rhetoric.
“It is easy to say, 'Malaysia has oil, so prices should not increase.” But the reality is, Malaysia does not live in a vacuum. We are part of the global energy system.
“Although the country produces crude oil, we still import refined petroleum products, the price of which is determined by the international market,” said PKR youth vice-chief Nadia Nazri.
The price of Brent crude oil surpassed the US$100 per barrel level, and more critically, the price of refined diesel on the global market has hit about US$200 to US$250 per barrel.
This situation is driven by geopolitical tensions, especially in strategic routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, which handles almost 20% of the world’s oil trade, causing ship insurance costs to increase, supply chains to be disrupted, and prices to soar for all countries.
“Therefore, the claim that Malaysia is not affected because it is “not blocked by Iran” is unfounded.
“The world energy market does not operate based on who is blocked or not, but on global risk, supply and demand. “When tensions occur in strategic routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, the effects are felt across the board,” stressed Nadia.
At the same time, she said PAS is trying to create the perception that the difference in diesel prices between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak is unfair.
“In fact, this approach takes into account geographical factors, logistics costs and different local economic structures. This policy is implemented in line with regional realities.”
She also said that PAS often talks about leakage and mismanagement, but rarely presents a concrete and detailed plan to address it.
“We do not deny that leakage must be fought all out. However, making it the sole reason to deny the reality of global prices is a misleading simplification.
“Even if leakage is at zero, fuel prices will still be influenced by the world market,” said Nadia.
She pointed out that the government today spends around RM4 billion a month on fuel subsidies.
Without a targeted approach, these subsidies will continue to be enjoyed unfairly, including by the high-income group and smuggling activities.
However, this reality is rarely touched upon because it is not in line with the political narrative PAS wants to build, she added.
What is more worrying, she said, is the continuous attempt to wrap economic issues with emotional and religious narratives, thus closing the space for rational discussion.
“If PAS still chooses to repeat the old narrative every time it faces a new issue, then clearly the problem is not with the economic situation, but with the way they understand the economic reality itself,” she added. – April 8, 2026