DPM pours scorn on Anwar's claim

2008/08/23

DPM pours scorn on Anwar's claim

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak says the government has kept its promise on lowering fuel prices if there was a reduction in global crude oil prices

BUTTERWORTH: Absurd! That was Datuk Seri Najib Razak's reaction yesterday when asked to comment on a claim by Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim earlier in the day that people should thank him (Anwar) for the government's decision to review fuel prices at the pump.

The deputy prime minister said the government had always maintained that fuel prices in the country would go down if global crude oil prices did so.

"Anwar can claim all kinds of things and that is his style of politics.

"However, the fact remains that it is the government that reduced prices," he said at Masjid Guar Perahu here last night.

Asked if the rakyat could expect a further reduction, Najib said it would all depend on global crude oil prices.
Anwar had, earlier yesterday, said the people should thank him for the government's decision to reduce fuel prices because it had been the party's campaign line in defiance of soaring world crude oil prices.

He had also claimed that the decision to reduce fuel prices was taken because the Barisan Nasional government wanted to win over voters in Permatang Pauh.

Meanwhile, Najib said the government had set aside an allocation of RM1.4 million for eight mosques in the Permatang Pauh area.