PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli has flayed the government for quietly collecting RM274 million in petrol taxes in a period of 45 days.

According to Rafizi, the people have paid higher petrol prices with hidden taxes without any subsidy despite the world fuel price dropping.

“For the month of November 2014, the people have paid RM47 million in fuel taxes.

“Meanwhile, for the first 15 days of December, the people have paid RM146 million in fuel taxes for RON95 fuel and another RM81 million for diesel.

“The total fuel taxes which has been collected silently by the government for this period of 45 days alone has accumulated to RM274 million, which the people do not know about,” Rafizi said in a statement today.

He said that the people were paying extra for the fuel, inclusive of the profit margin and cost reimbursement despite the world fuel prices plummeting.

The profit margin and cost reimbursement the government promised the oil companies are 32 sen per litre for RON95 and 23 sen per litre for diesel.

“The cost of RON95 (on Dec 1) was RM2.05 per litre and dropped to RM1.90 per litre (on December 15), but the people are still paying RM2.26 per litre.

“For diesel, the price was (on Dec 1) RM2.10 per litre and has dropped to RM1.94 per litre (on Dec 15) compared to the RM2.23 per litre the people still have to pay,” Rafizi said.

The Pandan MP also called on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to answer where the RM274 million collected in taxes has gone.

“I stress that the current managed float system is not transparent and has victimised the people. Najib has to immediately answer where the hidden taxes, accumulating to RM274 million from the people’s pockets, have gone to in just 45 days,” Rafizi added.