Khairy: Pakatan immature for taking credit in petrol issue

(The Star) – HULU TERENGGANU: Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has called the Pakatan Rakyat immature for taking the credit in the Government’s decision not to raise the price of RON95 petrol.

The Opposition’s claim that the decision came about due to their pressure on the Government was “immature politics” for political mileage, he said, adding that it was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak‘s decision not to raise the petrol price.

“I could have taken credit, too, but it would be a foolish thing to do,” he said after launching the Hulu Terengganu Umno Youth meeting here yesterday.

On allegations by PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution that Khairy had backtracked on his support for the rationalisation of subsidy, the latter said he still believed in reducing subsidy but the timing must be right.

“Reducing it (subsidy) now would be wrong given the high prices of goods as well as a high inflation rate.

“There is nothing wrong in changing one’s stand if it is for the benefit of the rakyat,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Petaling Jaya, Wanita MCA deputy secretary-general Tan Cheng Liang has ticked off Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for “sounding off an unnecessary alarm” when he claimed that the RON95 price would increase in July.

Lim’s claims were quashed after the Government announced it would not be increasing the price of the fuel for the time being, she added.

“His false prophecy not only undermines his authority, but does not benefit the people in riding out the storm.

“We hope Lim, as a chief minister, and his party will be more specific in tending to the plight of the people rather than seeking popularity in riding out the high tide of inflation,” Tan said.