Two opposition parties, PAS and PKR, are up in arms against the government's decision to increase the price of petrol and diesel today. They described the reason for the hike as a mere 'excuse'.

Johor PAS Youth chief Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil said the government should not be comparing its petrol price with other Asean countries as an excuse for its action.

"But the Malaysian government is not ready to compare its petrol price with other developed countries which are also not petrol suppliers such as Australia and other European countries," he said in a statement.

"It is a matter of much regret that the price hike has been enforced. The lower income group will be badly affected," he added.

PKR information chief Tian Chua alleged that the government was using the shortage of supply as an excuse to increase the price of petrol.

He claimed that the petrol hike proves that the government has failed to manage the country's economy.

"The effects of the hike will lead to high inflation, including drastic price rise in basic needs and materials. As a result, the cost of living will also rise," he said in a statement.

"The inflation will have a negative effect to the existing weak economy. The increasing number of unemployed graduates will not create spending power.

"It is obvious that the mismanagement of economy needs some changes," he said, adding that the government should be operating in a more transparent manner.

Halt grandiose projects

Meanwhile, PKR Youth exco member Ahmad Zaki Yamani Zainon urged Petronas to be responsible by subsidising petrol and diesel.

"This will definitely be more beneficial to the public compared with the oil corporation's move to spend billions of ringgit to subsidise unprogressive projects such as the development of Putrajaya, high rise buildings and Formula One race," he said.

Ahmad, who is also the party's consumers welfare bureau head, said the government should not shift the burden to consumers, as a result of the authorities undertaking projects for prestige and to rub the ego of certain quarters.

Effective today, petrol RON97 has been increased 10 sen per litre - from RM1.42 to RM1.52 per litre while petrol RON92 costs RM1.48 from RM1.38.

Diesel costs 20 sen more - from 88.1 sen to 108.1 sen per liter.

The 7 percent (for petrol) and 23 percent (for diesel) increase will be the sharpest hike in oil prices in recent years. Last year, the price of petrol was increased twice - two sen on May 1 and five sen on Oct 1.

Previously, petrol prices had increased by one sen in Nov 1, 2002, while diesel was increased by two sen.

Meanwhile, Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit) coordinator Kohila Yanasekaran said the authorities should be looking after the interests of the people as the recent price hike of electricity, water and toll (and now petrol) has become a big burden for them.

She claimed that although the government has repeatedly said it was unable to continue subsidising petrol, it has increased the salaries and allowances of cabinet members and members of Parliament last month.