Now that there is a new grade of petrol in the market called RON 95 which was supposed to be a cheaper fuel for Malaysian consumer, the public is getting excited about it. I was in Kuching early August and taxi drivers are already asking for the new petrol when they wanted to fill up. The introduction of RON 95 will phase out the lower grade RON 92 which seems not getting good response from vehicle owners. In fact most people are not aware of the presence of RON 92 because everyone is going for the RON 97.
Before the intrduction of RON 92 the price of RON 97 was 1.80 and RON 95 cheaper by 5 cents. The saving can be seen if drivers filled full tank. However just when consumers are rushing for cheaper fuel in the market, all of a sudden the price increased. Now the price of RON 95 is the same as RON97. How nice and easy consumers fall into the government's trap and now whats the difference between RON 97 and RON 95. We consumers are going to pay a higher price for a lower grade petrol because RON 97 will be a premium grade fuel.
So, what actually happens, there's price increase for fuel but hidden behind the petrol grading. When RON 97 increase to RM 2.05, we can expect next is the increase in the price of cooking gas because they originate from the same source. Consumers are being hoodwink again.
Just a few day of introduction of the new grade, petrol pump owners is already making a good profit by selling old stock at new price. Then we will hear that they will cry foul if the price of petrol decrease by telling us that they bought the consignment at old price. Read what The Star report.
Tuesday September 1, 2009
RON95 price up 5 sen to RM1.80
By NURBAITI HAMDAN
PETALING JAYA: The newly introduced RON95 fuel is now selling at RM1.80 – five sen higher than its previous price.
RON97 has been upgraded as a premium product and its price has increased from RM1.80 to RM2.05.
Domestic Trade, Co-operative and Consu-merism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the new prices were decided based on the current automatic pricing mechanism.
“Although the price is now 5 sen higher, the Government is still subsidising 33.81 sen per litre (of RON95) which is equivalent to RM304mil monthly,” he told reporters after the launch of Primax 95 by Petronas here yesterday.
Currently, the Government is subsidising RON97 for 42.72 sen per litre.
The cost for RON95 went up 102% from US$40.75 (RM143.79) per barrel to US$82.30 (RM290.40) in December last year and in August respectively.
“If there are any changes in global prices, we will revise our prices accordingly. It is up to the Economic Council to decide.
“RON95 also adheres to the EURO2M specification, which is less polluting,” said Ismail Sabri, adding that consumers would get quality petroleum products at subsidised prices.
With the new pricing, he said, RON92 has been phased out as its usage was only 5% of the total petrol sales in the country.
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