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No. 4527 PP 2644/12/2008 (020369)

Thursday
June 5, 2008
TELLING IT AS IT IS www.sun2surf.com

» Obama wins nomination pg10 » Black for more laughs pg26

Days to kickoff

by Llew-Ann Phang
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PUTRAJAYA: In a move that caught many

Petrol 78 sen
Diesel
unawares, the government increased fuel

RM1
prices by the highest margins to date with effect
from midnight last night. At the same time, it
also gave cash rebates to the owners of vehicles
and motorcycles in certain categories.
The price of premium leaded petrol (RON97)
has gone up by 78 sen to RM2.70 a litre, and
the price of diesel has risen by RM1 to RM2.58
a litre.
There is no change in the prices of natural
gas for vehicles (NGV) and liquefied petroleum
gas (LPG).
At a late afternoon press conference to
announce details of the cabinet’s decision on a
» RM625 ANNUAL CASH REBATE FOR CARS UP TO 2,000cc
new subsidy management plan, Prime Minister AND PICK-UP TRUCKS AND JEEPS UP TO 2,500cc
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also
disclosed a revised tariff structure for electricity
in the peninsula that will take effect on July 1
(see table on Page 2).
» RM150 ANNUAL CASH REBATE FOR MOTORCYCLES UP TO 250cc
The immediate increase in the petrol and
diesel prices took many by surprise as there » NEW ELECTRICITY TARIFF FROM JULY 1
had been earlier reports that they will go up

SHARIL AMIN/THESUN
only in August, but they are still lower than the
speculated price of RM4 a litre and still among
the cheapest in Asia.
The administration will ease the pinch on
the pockets of the consumers with an annual
cash rebate of RM625 for those who own cars
of up to 2,000cc, and pick-up trucks and jeeps of
up to 2,500cc. A rebate of RM150 is also given to
owners of motorcycles of 250cc and below.
These cash rebates are for vehicles and
motorcycles with road tax valid from April 1
this year to March 31 next year, the seemingly
jovial premier said, adding that they will be
handed out in the form of money orders at post
offices nationwide from July 1.
The owners of cars, pick-up trucks and jeeps
with higher engine capacities will be given a
RM200 discount on their road tax, and those
who own motorcycles of higher than 250cc will
enjoy a road tax discount of RM50.
Almost immediately after the
announcement, those who heard the news
through the grapevine began converging at
petrol stations nationwide to fill up their tanks,
causing traffic congestions.
Before announcing the new prices, Abdullah
explained to a packed meeting room in his
office the prices would be reviewed on a
monthly basis subject to the world market
prices.
“However, the government has chosen a Cars queue up for petrol
before the price increase
» Turn to Page 2 at midnight last night.