Rich to pay more - NST

By : Sheridan Mahavera

JOHOR BARU: The subsidy on petrol may be revised with the bulk going to the regular type so that prices will be kept down for the average motorists.

Under the plan, the existing classes of petrol at the pump — Octane 92 and Octane 97, commonly referred to as RON 92 and RON 97 — will be abolished and replaced by Octane 95 and Octane 99.

Octane 92 is used mainly by motorcycles while other vehicles normally use Octane 97.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad, who disclosed this yesterday, said Octane 95 could be used in most vehicles and would be the fuel of choice for low- and middle-income earners.

The government would also introduce Octane 99, a premium fuel that costs more than Octane 95 or 97, that is usually used in performance luxury cars and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

Under the proposed system, Shahrir said, subsidies would be mainly used to keep the price of Octane 95 low.

The price of Octane 99 will still be subsidised but to a lower extent.

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