A Sapp parliamentarian has argued yesterday's panic buying and pandemonium at petrol stations in Sabah and Sarawak as “a glaring example” of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's incompetence as prime minister.
“This is also a reason why the Sapp had last weekend announced a no-confidence motion on Abdullah,” Sepanggar MP Eric Majimbun said in a press statement.
The panic buying at petrol stations in main towns in East Malaysia - which resulted in long queues - was apparently prompted by widespread rumours of a nationwide strike by pump operators.
Majimbun said the 40-percent hike in fuel prices had burdened the people and this was followed by a series of questionable actions by the government, including the refusal to give in to the demand of petrol stations for a higher commissions.
“Looking at the chaotic situation, it only causes the people to further lose confidence in the present government,” he decried.
The Sabah politician is one of two MPs at the centre of the political storm following Sapp supreme council’s decision last Friday to move or support a no-confidence vote against the PM.
Majimbun said he and his colleague, Tawau MP Dr Chua Soi Bui, are prepared to “face whatever consequences” for the decision.
In his press statement, the Sepanggar MP also said he received many calls from disgruntled members of the public to express their gross dissatisfaction against the government.
Petrol stations back to normal
A real estate agent in Kuching told Malaysiakini that given the present situation in the country, Malaysians are extremely susceptible to rumours, particularly after the recent incidence of diesel shortages at pump stations.
“In that incident, there was clearly a mismatch between supply and demand as people started to buy excessively for fear there would be shortage, and hoarding by some business people in anticipation of price increases or for smuggling purposes,” he said.
He added that the government has failed to anticipate that the dramatic hike in fuel prices had adversely affected the population.
All petrol stations however open as normal today.
According to rumours yesterday, pump stations would close for three days as a result of a dispute over the amount of credit-cash charges by merchant banks and the no increase in commissions from sales of petrol.
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“This is also a reason why the Sapp had last weekend announced a no-confidence motion on Abdullah,” Sepanggar MP Eric Majimbun said in a press statement.
The Sabah politician is one of two MPs at the centre of the political storm following Sapp supreme council’s decision last Friday to move or support a no-confidence vote against the PM.
“In that incident, there was clearly a mismatch between supply and demand as people started to buy excessively for fear there would be shortage, and hoarding by some business people in anticipation of price increases or for smuggling purposes,” he said.
