Reports that only consumers earning less than RM5,000 and using vehicles with capacity of less than 2,000 cc are eligible to enjoy subsidised fuel, are not true.

Secretary-general of the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) Alias Ahmad, said the reports were only speculations.

"The newspaper reports are just speculations as the government had not yet issued in detail the implementation of the move," he told reporters Putrajaya today.

He said there was a new approach to petrol and diesel subsidies but this would be announced by the government as an in-depth study was still being conducted.

Earlier, he attended the ministry's annual consultation with the cooperatives sector which was also attended by its minister Hasan Malek.

Reports in the Chinese press also said that vehicle owners earning a monthly salary of RM5,000 to RM10,000 would get a 300-litre of subsidised RON95 petrol and diesel.

Once this quota is used up, the vehicle owners would have to purchase fuel at market price.

In a separate development, Alias said the ministry would meet with suppliers of essential food products to discuss the preparations for the month of Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities.

"We may be able to fix a date for a meeting by next week to determine if there is sufficient supply of essential goods for Ramadan and Aidilfitri," he said.

- Bernama

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