Wait for diesel price float announcement, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Wait for the announcement from Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan regarding the decision on whether diesel prices will be floated, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"Wait for the announcement from MKII (Finance Minister II)," the Prime Minister said briefly when met by reporters after launching the Global Forum on Islamic Economics and Finance here today.

He said this when asked about the possibility of the government floating diesel prices following the decision to rationalise diesel subsidies.

On the request from industry stakeholders for the government to expand the list of diesel subsidy recipients, Anwar asked that the matter be referred to Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

When asked about restaurant operators' concerns that the increase in transportation costs would be passed on to consumers, the Prime Minister said the government has taken sufficient steps to address the issue.