JOHOR BARU, June 24, 2008 ─ The federal goverment should give the dual pump system at petrol stations, proposed by the Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Ministry, a bit more thought before implementing it.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said several issues which would inevitably crop up needed to be addressed first before a final decision was made.
"Think over before implementing the system. There are several questions which need to be answered, for example, the location of the petrol stations.
"The ministry says petrol stations at the border areas will have the dual pricing system ─ one for foreigners and the other for locals. Does it mean we must build new ones (petrol stations)?
"This is because previously, it was suggested that petrol stations within a 50km radius from the border not be allowed to sell subsidised fuel to foreign-registered vehicles.
"And who is going to monitor who buys fuel at which pump now that we have two sets of pump? What are the penalties if the rule is flouted?" he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said that the dual pump system had two benefits ─ foreigners would pay for petrol at the current price and Malaysians would know the actual market price of petrol.
On the proposal to allow government servants to take on a "second" job to ease their financial burden, Abdul Ghani said it should not be done at the expense of their work.
"We had gone through this before when our economy was down. The government then encouraged civil servants to do part-time work, like driving a taxi, to supplement their income but it was later discovered that it was affecting their normal work.
"And this also has an effect on the quality of life, especially the time spent with their children. So we need to thoroughly study the matter (second job) first," he added. ─ Bernama
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