Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced that the government will engage in direct discussions with major oil companies to address allegations of financial losses incurred by petrol station operators.
The talks come as the country navigates the transition to an enhanced fuel subsidy mechanism for RON95 gasoline, a policy shift that has sparked concerns among retailers about margin compression and operational viability.
The government intends to gather further information on the scale of the reported losses before determining any compensatory measures or policy adjustments.
The government intends to gather further information on the scale of the reported losses before determining any compensatory measures or policy adjustments.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan is also set to participate in these engagements, signaling a coordinated effort to stabilize the downstream fuel sector.
The discussions aim to resolve outstanding concerns regarding the financial impact on operators who have been absorbing costs during the implementation phase of the new subsidy framework.
This development highlights the ongoing friction between fiscal consolidation efforts and retail fuel economics in Southeast Asia.