Parliament snippets With global fuel prices at US$140 per barrel, the projected subsidies could have come up to RM30 billion if government did not increase fuel prices in the country.

Fuel subsidy would have cost gov't RM30 bil

In his wrap-up speech for 9MP mid-term review, Minister of Trade and Consumer Affairs Shahrir Samad argued that the fuel subsidy would have cost the government RM30 billion this year.

He said the total amount of subsidies paid by the government in the first six months of this year were RM10.25 billion, of which RM 4.006 billion were for petrol, RM5.056 billion were for diesel and RM 1.088 billion were for LPG gas.

Shahrir said the subsidies in the first six months of 2008 were more than the amount during the whole of last year. Last year's fuel subsidies amounted to RM8.77 billion.

With global fuel prices at US$140 per barrel, the projected subsidies could have come up to RM30 billion if the government did not increase fuel prices in the country.

Anwar-Shabery debate lauded

The fuel-hike debate between PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and Information Chief Shabery Cheek set to take place tomorrow has been lauded by Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bayan), who is also Penang chief minister.

He said the "clashing off the minds of ideas" will contribute positively to public discourse.

Lim added that there will now be at least a ‘dialogue' instead of the usual monologue.

Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein concurred, saying that the debate was part of the "process of openness". He also declared his ‘total' faith in Shabery Cheek in arguing the government's position.

But he appeared sceptical as to whether the public will be enlightened through the debate.

"Knowing Anwar, he will politicise the debate and the end result of educating the public will not be achieved."