The government should not give standard answers when dealing with queries relating to oil price increases and subsidies but should draw up a comprehensive plan that would be able to tackle the related issues satisfactorily.

Debating the Supplementary Supply (2005) Bill 2005 in Parliament yesterday, Ahmad Shabery Cheek (BN - Kemaman) said he had heard enough of the standard replies from the Finance Ministry with regards to oil-related issues.

"If we listen to these replies, I feel that the picture given is that there is no comprehensive plan or one contingency plan prepared by the government to deal with the whole problem of petrol and diesel related issues," said Ahmad Shabery.

"There are standards replies we have got for years. Where is the comprehensive plan to resolve the problem?" he asked, adding that to date oil-related issues were dealt with on an ad-hoc basis.

Deputy Finance Minister Tengku Putera Tengku Awang responded by saying that his ministry was dealing with the matter and "I believe immediate action will be taken to deal with the (oil) subsidy problems."

"I urge all MPs to explain to the public the oil price increase phenomenon so that the burden of the increases is shared together. Don't burden the government only," he said.

Tengku Putera said the government had paid out RM11.4 billion in oil subsidies last year and another RM10.8 billion for the first nine months of this year.

Reduce road tax

Other MPs also gave suggestions on how the public could reduce their burden as a result of the oil price hike. One recommendation was that motorists not rely too heavily on petrol but switch to other alternatives such as natural gas.

Mohd Alwi Che Ahmad (BN-Ketereh) suggested that the number of petrol stations supplying natural gas be increased both in Kuala Lumpur and other states.

James Dawos Mamit (BN-Mambong) said the government should consider reducing road taxes for cars with engine capacity of more than 2000cc as well as for diesel-powered vehicles.

He said that the move would be a great help to the public especially for those in Sarawak where four-wheel drive diesel-powered vehicles were a popular form of transport.