KUALA LUMPUR — Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh has dismissed claims by Terengganu exco Datuk Razali Idris that the government has no solution to rising fuel prices caused by conflict in the Middle East over Iran.
Responding to a post on Facebook by Razali, Akmal said fuel price increases were not the result of arbitrary government action but were largely driven by external factors.
“For a long time, the increase in fuel prices has not been due to the government arbitrarily raising prices, but rather largely influenced by rising oil prices in the global market.
“This issue is a global one that must be addressed collectively – by both the government and the opposition – for the benefit of the people, rather than being exploited to mislead public thinking,” Akmal said.
Akmal said the focus should now shift towards finding solutions, and announced that Umno Youth will organise the National Roundtable Discussion 2.0 (RIMBUN 2.0) in the near future.
The initiative aims to gather economic experts, oil and gas professionals, and industry players to discuss the impact of rising fuel prices and propose recommendations to the government.
“This is so that we can sit together and discuss proposals that can be brought forward to the government for the benefit of Malaysians,” he said.
He also invited leaders across the political divide to participate in the discussion, urging a more constructive approach.
“This is not the time for leaders to quarrel; this is the time for us to make the best decisions for the people of Malaysia,” he said.
Razali, who is Kijal assemblyman, had posted that the government has no solution for the increase in oil prices due to the global crisis caused by the Iran conflict.
“It appears that the government has no solution, so I propose that a Special Sitting of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara be convened simultaneously to come up with an approach that will benefit the people,” Razali said.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced as a temporary measure a quota reduction for the subsidised RON95 petrol from 300 litres per citizen to 200 litres. The move comes as the governments fuel subsidy bill is expected to hit RM4 billion monthly. – March 27, 2026