Petrol subsidy: Chong told not to fuel public anxiety

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Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

SIBU: Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen has been told to only explain and provide true statements, and not spread unnecessary anxiety over matters still in discussion at ministry level.

In giving the advice, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this is because whatever Chong says can be construed as government policy, given his position as a deputy minister.

“YB Chong should be more responsible and know that as a (deputy) minister, what he says is deemed by the public as government policy,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday, in response to Chong’s statement on Wednesday that the federal Cabinet had yet to make a final decision on the proposed targeted fuel subsidy for RON95 and diesel.

This was after Chong had earlier told a national Chinese daily in an interview that the targeted subsidy plan had been finalised and would be submitted to the Cabinet this month for approval.

On this, Abdul Karim said Chong ought to know that policies or matters which have not been endorsed by the Cabinet should not be discussed or revealed to the public, as it would be tantamount to ‘spreading rumours’ and also create confusion among the people.

“It seems that even after more than a year sitting in the ministers’ comfort chair…he seems to be still struggling to understand how ministries work. Or maybe he just loves to be a rumour-monger.

“My advice to him…only explain and give true statements. Don’t spread unnecessary anxiety over matters that are still in discussion at ministry level… like this matter on subsidies on petrol for different level of societies.”

Abdul Karim remarked that the only reason the matter had been debated intensively over the past few days was because of Chong’s earlier statement.

“That the matter has not been finalised, confirmed or endorsed by the Cabinet is an anti-climax,” he added.