Government not paying petrol subsidies

1 day old news. I believe most of blogs, newspaper and media are reporting this fact that the government has stopped paying petrol subsisdies since the beginning of the month. This is due to the huge drop in world crude oil price. This statement has been claimed by our Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs - Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad.

He claimed that if this situation going on (world crude oil price below USD$60 - current price is USD$50++ Source ), government will be able to save up to RM10B or more. He claimed that government no longer paying for any subsidies when the petrol price is at RM2 per litre. "We have actually arrived at a time when the price can return to RM1.92", he said.

He added that government might still make "a bit of income" if the price went back to RM1.92. To be honest, his statement is slightly contradicting with what our Deputy Prime Minister has said in Budget 2009. Najib Abdul Razak had then said that government would maintain a 30-cents fuel subsidy.

Datuk Shahrir claimed that the car and bike rebates will be maintained. His statement was "We are still giving RM625 rebates for cars and RM150 for motorbikes that goes straight into your pocket".

I think the main thing that makes most of the citizen pissed off is that when the world crude oil price is at roughly USD$80++ per barrel, the petrol price was at RM1.92 per litre. Now, the world crude oil price is at USD$50++, the fuel price is at RM2. Aren't that slightly irony? I strongly believe that the government people would reply me in this way "So, now you know how hard we have been subsidising for you guys? Right now, instead of think what we can do for you, think of what you can do for us".

[Strictly personal opinion] If they are thinking that RM625 rebates will go straight into our pockets, I would say that RM10b will go straight in your pocket(s) as well.]

In short,