The government is studying all options available to avoid increasing the price of RON95 petrol in the near future although oil prices are rising globally, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said his ministry was working closely with the Finance Ministry on the matter to ensure Malaysians were not adversely impacted following rising oil prices.

"We have to maintain a balance because we fear if fuel prices go up, prices of goods will go up in tandem and this will be a burden on the people.

"My ministry and the Finance Ministry as studying all options available to stabilise fuel prices to avoid any price hikes in the near future," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

 Ismail Sabri was asked about rumours swirling around that the price of RON95 petrol would be increased soon.

Also present were his deputy Tan Lian Hoe and the ministry's secretary general Mohd Zain Mohd Dom.

Earlier, Ismail Sabri had witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on an automotive workshop modernisation project the Intellectual Property Training Centre here.

- Bernama