A NGO has slammed the government for its surprise fuel hike last night without any prior warning to the public and for spreading the news on the social media instead of through official statements.

“Persatuan Progresif India Malaysia (Mipas) and the whole of Malaysia gives a million thanks to Prime Minister Najib Razak and the BN government, that cares so much for the people that it has raised petrol and diesel prices starting Jun 1.

“Malaysians were shocked last night with the announcement made through the social media like Facebook , WhatsApp , SMS and blogs,” said Mipas secretary-general S Barathidasan ( right ) in a caustic statement today.

He lamented the government had not made any prior announcement through the mainstream media.

“What is the BN government’s true motive to make such a last minute announcement?” he asked.

While fuel prices have remained unchanged since March, Malaysians were treated with a surprise 10 cent hike last night in response to rising world crude oil prices.

However critics such as PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli had argued previously that when oil prices were on the slump, there were times when the managed float price for the month had actually been higher than the prevailing world market prices.

Living cost rose during slump

Barathidasan asked if this was what the prime minister meant with his slogan ‘Janji ditepati (Promises kept)’.

“People are increasingly angry about the rising cost of fuel that is like a choke around the neck, following the rising cost of goods compounded by the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“The government is seen to have failed in administrating this country and has failed to control the price of goods, which is a burden to the lower income group who are facing increasing difficulty.

“Mipas truly feels sorry for the lower income groups,” he said.

He added the government had failed to ensure prices fell even when the oil prices slumped in the first quarter of the year, this despite the government’s price control programme.

Barathidasan warned BN will continue to lose support over this and predicted the ruling party’s prospects at the next generation will be bleak.