Fuel price hike

from Lianhe Zaobao, 5th June 2008, p1

The current 41% increment in fuel price for Malaysia is a hot issue now, as it does not only affect Malaysian motorists, but also the imports of commodity and other stuff into Brunei. Pictures I saw on the paper are public demonstration and protest, anger, stocking up foodstuff, and also the comparison of the fuel prices:

Petrol
Brunei = B$0.53/L; Malaysia = RM2.70/L (B$1.14/L)

Diesel
Brunei = B$0.31/L; Malaysia = RM2.58/L (B$1.09/L)

Price per litre of petrol in Malaysian Ringgit (RM):
Turkey = 8.58
Norway = 8.48
United Kingdom = 7.23
Hong Kong = .37
Singapore = 5.32
Brazil = 5.00
Canada = 4.31
India = 4.22
Thailand = 4.07
Pakistan = 3.39
United States = 3.35
Russia = 3.20
Malaysia = 2.70
China = 2.37
Brunei = 1.25
Saudi Arabia = 0.38
Venezuela = 0.16


The BB yesterday published an article entitled "Why Malaysians have to pay more for fuel" by BERNAMA states that Malaysian PM Abdullah's explanation on the cutting back on fuel subsidies:
"...is the way to go so as to put its hard-earned taxpayers money into more productive uses like improving educational, health and infrastructure facilities for the benefit of more people rather than allowing it to be guzzled away mostly by motorists."

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The directive announced in October 2007, stating that for vehicles not registered in Brunei, the maximum amount for Premium 97 fuel is $10 per day and for diesel is $6 per day is still effective.

However there is no proper system to determine whether a foreign-registered vehicle does top up the fuel once a day or he buys from other stations as well.
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A new directive from Energy Division of the Prime Minister's Office:
Effective from 1 August 2008, commercial vehicles and vessels will have to use fleet cards to purchase diesel and gasoline.

RTB reported that commercial customers are now required to apply for the fleet card issued by authorities and produce the card when purchasing the fuel.

According to the rules, fuel purchased for commercial vehicles should directly go to the vehicle's fuel tank.

While commercial vessels, including ships and boats, the fuel is to be filled into the permanent fuel tank or portable fuel tank which are up to international standards at commercial BSM bunkering facilities or facilities approved by BSM.

For all industrial purposes, RTB reported, no more than 400 litres should be placed into a portable fuel tank, which should meet international standards and additionally, buyers must also produce a Bruneian yellow identification card.

The fleet card system was introduced to help collect data on fuel sales in the country.

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Prices of Gasoline in ASEAN:
Singapore = B$ 2.16/L
Myanmar = B$ 1.62/L
Philippines = B$ 1.59/L
Thailand = B$ 1.59/L
Cambodia = B$ 1.54/L
Laos = B$ 1.40/L
Vietnam = B$ 1.25/L
Malaysia = B$ 1.16/L
Indonesia = B$ 0.87/L
Brunei = B$ 0.53/L

Prices of Diesel in ASEAN:
Myanmar = B$ 1.69/L
Singapore = B$ 1.61/L
Thailand = B$ 1.54/L
Philippines = B$ 1.30/L
Cambodia = B$ 1.26/L
Vietnam = B$ 1.18/L
Laos = B$ 1.15/L
Malaysia = B$ 1.10/L
Indonesia = B$0.79/L
Brunei = B$ 0.31/L

(Source: Press Release from Petroleum Unit)