The government cannot use the excuse of subsidies becoming a financial burden if the global price of oil drops further to US$73 a barrel.

PKR’s Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli pointed out that when global oil prices reach that stage, the government will no longer be subsidising anything based on the current subsidy rates.

“Right now we are only subsidising 14 sen for petrol,” he said.

The government had opted to reduce fuel subsidies despite a drop in global oil prices.

The current oil prices had dropped to US $82 per barrel as of yesterday, Rafizi said.

"With the world economy not expected to prosper like before, oil commodity analysts estimate that the price for crude oil in 2015 to be between US $70 to US $80 per barrel.

He said that the actions of Saudi Arabia, which is trying to keep the prices of crude oil low, could result in low prices.

"Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak must answer to the people whether he plans to abolish the petrol subsidies completely, when he doesn't want to reduce fuel prices for the people?" he asked.