Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ahmad Maslan has denied claiming the government has increased petrol prices purportedly to curb road accidents.

Taking to Twitter today, he called for action against those who have spread the statement on social media.

The message bearing the deputy minister's photograph read, "The government has raised fuel prices to reduce road accidents – Ahmad Maslan".

Ahmad reproduced the message on his Twitter calling it fake.

"I have informed the MCMC (Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission) to act against the slander they have spread.

"MCMC, it's better to arrest them. My officer will lodge a police report," he said.

"We should fight the slander on the social media," he added.

"The infographic that had gone viral was stupid slander. It's slanderous and stupid. I never made that statement.

"Why should I speak about the petrol prices, since that is not under my ministry?

"And, the petrol price in Malaysia is determined by global fuel prices, not decided by the government," he wrote on Twitter.

This week, petrol prices reached a record high since the new weekly managed-float system was introduced in March.

According to the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry, RON95 rose seven sen to RM2.38 per litre, while RON97 rose six sen to RM2.66 per litre.

Meanwhile, the price of diesel went up by five sen to RM2.25 per litre, also hitting a new high under the weekly float system.