Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must explain how the RM4.4 billion saved in fuel subsidies will be distributed equally among the various states, said an opposition leader today.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng posed this question in response to Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu's announcement that the state would bid for 10 percent.

Jabu said the 440 million would be used to help seven groups, namely bus and taxi operators, express passenger boat operators, operators of lorries ferrying essential food items, fishermen, farmers and longboat operators.

"If Sarawak can bid for 10 percent, then other states requiring assistance can also do so. This raises the question of how the savings are to be distributed?" asked Lim in a statement.

The DAP leader also expressed regret that despite the government's promises, bus fares have gone up.

Domestic flights

Apart from this, he said yesterday Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy revealed that the fuel surcharge for domestic MAS flights has been increased:

- RM36 (from RM15) for flights between the peninsular and Sabah and Sarawak.

- RM15 (from RM7.50) for domestic flights within peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

"Such false promises have further diminished public confidence in the government's commitment to stop prices from rising or to use the fuel subsidy savings for the benefit of the people.

"What is the point of rejecting MAS' request to increase its fare by 10 percent when fuel surcharges are increased," asked Lim.

Petronas' billions

He reiterated that the best solution would be to distribute to the people the tens of billions in profit raked in by the state-owned petroleum behemoth Petronas.

The government, he said, has a moral obligation to distribute the profits as such oil revenues belong to Malaysians.

According to him, Malaysians can get nearly RM2,000 each should the profits be distributed and the DAP leader wondered why this has not transpired.

"Clearly, it is important that Malaysians seek accountability and economic justice to prevent our oil revenue from being misused by a select few," he said.

On Feb 27, the government increased the price of petrol and petroleum products by 30 sen a litre, following an upsurge in the world's oil prices.