Claims by the opposition that RON 95 petrol blend and diesel prices have gone up in Sarawak are untrue, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said such allegations were made to mislead the people, especially those in rural areas.

The minister said despite a hike in oil prices on the world market, the government continued to maintain RON 95 and diesel prices, having considered the impact on the people.

petrol price hike consumer interview 040608 01 The government, he said, subsidised RM0.84 per litre of RON 95 and RM1.04 per litre for diesel.

"Such falsehood (on the part of the opposition) is merely to mislead the people. They come to this state and say that all fuel prices have increased," he told reporters after opening a seminar on the establishment of cooperatives in Kuching today.

According to Ismail Sabri, petrol and diesel prices in the country were controlled by the government to ensure that they would not burden the rakyat.

He said the price of the RON 97 petrol blend had gone up but it was normally used by high-powered vehicles, and in Sarawak, not more than 10 per cent was sold at petrol stations in urban areas like Kuching, Miri and Sibu.

Describing the opposition as a "merchant of dreams", Ismail Sabri said they were promising the stars and the moon to the people of Sarawak.

"But those in Sarawak should open up their eyes and see the track record of the current ruling government and compare it to states governed by such dream merchants who have been unable to deliver on their electoral promises," he added.

'Sarawakians solidly behind BN'

Meanwhile, the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth wing is confident that the people are still giving their solid support to the BN because the general public knows that development in Sarawak is progressing smoothly.

The movement's vice-head Pandi Suhaili said that compared to 20 or 23 years ago, when Sarawak was then the most undeveloped state, the situation had changed a lot due to the wisdom and hard work put in by the state and federal BN government.

NONE "The rakyat or people actually knows and feels the development under the BN government which has succeeded in connecting the rural and urban communities by providing facilities such as roads, water and electricity in Sarawak," he told Bernama.

He said the young generation in the 'land of the hornbills' should join together in planning and implementing development in Sarawak so that the state would not lag too far behind.

"We understand that the new generation is always changing... the government also understands that things are changing, we have to keep abreast with the changes," he said.

Pandi, who is also the head of the Jepak PBB Youth, said the government was always planning and striving to develop Sarawak, especially the rural areas.

"For the people of Sarawak, particularly the central region, we have promised an economic surge through the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) and the development of the Tanjung Manis and the Tanjung Manis halal hub," he said.

In the April 16 state election, the PBB nominated three youth candidates namely Mohamad Razi Sitam in the Saribas state constituency, Dennis Ngau (Telang Usan) and Ripin Lamat (Lambir).

The opportunity given to the young leaders will enable smooth continuity in the administration from the old leaders to the new faces, he added.

- Bernama