in Malaysia was due to the cost to the government, which had increased by 10 times in just five years,
“One of the reasons to proceed with the subsidy rationalisation is to plug the fiscal holes. The focus now is on subsidy rationalisation so that the government can run effectively. A well-run government helps the people in other forms,” said finance minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. The main reason for the leakage of subsidised diesel is the big difference in price of the fuel compared to those in neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. While the retail price of diesel in Malaysia is capped at RM2.15 per litre, the fuel costs RM4.12 per litre in Thailand, RM4.73 per litre in Indonesia and RM8.87 per litre in Singapore, The Star reported.