Sunday, June 22, 2008

Shahrir's motion on price hikes tabled

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad has tabled a motion in Parliament seeking support for the government's measures over food, oil and commodities price increases, including the reduction of oil subsidies.

Coming on the heels of the 40 percent oil hike announced on June 4, the motion is expected to be hotly debated by members of parliament on both sides of the House.DAP leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), in a statement on Friday said Shahrir's motion can be turned into a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi if there are enough numbers in Parliament to defeat it.However, the two Sabah Progressive Party MPs are missing from the Parliament today in the wake of their party's move for a motion of no-confidence against the prime minister.The government's motion moved by Shahrir is the first order of business on the first day of the second parliamentary sitting after a three-week break.

The motion stated that the price increases were part of "a global phenomenon outside the control of the government" and cannot be delayed due to the continuously rising prices globally of oil.The restructuring of oil and gas subsidies is aimed at lessening their impact on the national economy, relieving the burden on the government's financial position, and allocating subsidies more fairly to those in need, said Shahrir.Despite the increasing challenges at the global environment, the government has resolved to take steps to increase economic growth and "advance the national development agenda", he added.All Malaysians, therefore, are called upon to "to be more resilient and united in together facing the global challenges and foster peace, stability and harmony".

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