MCA today urged the government to disclose the formula on fuel price calculation to prevent the opposition from misleading the public.

MCA publicity bureau deputy chairperson Lau Chin Kok said the government needs to handle the fuel price increase issue in an open and transparent manner, so that the opposition "will not have a chance to distort the facts".

"After the recent increase in fuel prices, the people may start to believe hearsay. This will eventually lead the whole issue to be spun out of control.

"There are opposition leaders disguised as experts and give irresponsible comments. This has caused great harm to the government," Lau claimed in a press statement today.

These "naysayers" take advantage of social media networks to spread fake news, he said, adding that this added to the preconceived notion that the fuel price hike was the government's fault.

"The relevant government authorities should strengthen their public relations units so that they can respond professionally to accusations and allegations from the opposition, and convey the government's policies to the public."

Lau then urged the ruling coalition to stop relying on mainstream electronic and print media to circulate news and instead adopt social media as the "battlefield" to make official announcements.