The government has been accused of heavily burdening its citizens by raising petrol and diesel prices and by increasing toll rates, all of which have caused a rise in the inflationary rate.

Party Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth said in a statement today that the 0.2 point increase in the national inflationary rate from January to April (based on a Bernama report) was caused by the government's irresponsibility when reducing oil subsidies.

"Malaysians are under more pressure in life because of the increase in prices, since local wage rates are still extremely low," said its society and disaster bureau chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin.

"Unfortunately, while its citizens suffer, the government continues to protect the corporate circle comprising crony companies who continue to reap profits."

Petrol prices were increased for the third time in 12 months on May 5. The 10 sen and 20 sen per litre increase for petrol and diesel respectively was the sharpest hike in oil prices in recent years.

Toll rates on highways have been increased a number of times in recent years, contributing to higher prices of goods and services, especially necessities like food.

Raking in big bucks

PKR Youth also made a reference to a first-quarter report from toll concessionaire Plus Expressways Bhd (Plus), claiming that the company had made a net profit of RM487.3 million as at March 31.

This is 190 percent higher than the company's profit of RM168.3 million over the same financial period last year, it said.

Plus had attributed its sharp net income to its receipt of RM331.7 million in government compensation (for a closed toll booth) and its increased toll collections from about 772 km of roads.

It expects additional revenue over the rest of its financial year from a 10 percent toll hike imposed in January.

PKR also claimed that the earnings of national oil company Petronas has gone up substantially.

"According to a report on May 10 in Berita Harian , Petronas made a profit of RM120 billion in the first quarter, exceeding its expectations by about 25 percent. That excess profit is a result of an increase in oil prices worldwide," PKR Youth said.

It is widely felt that Petronas could have eased the burden of Malaysians by using its enormous profits to offset higher costs, similar to efforts it previously undertook to bail out financially strapped companies and to fund mega-government projects.