Petrol and diesel prices will be raised slightly from tomorrow amid a surge in global oil prices, a senior minister said today.

"The increase is due to the rise in the oil price in the world market," Muhyiddin Yassin, domestic trade and consumer affairs minister was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

Muhyiddin said the modest increase was approved by the cabinet o­n Wednesday.

With the increase, the retail prices for petrol and diesel would be increased by two sen a litre, making the petrol worth RM1.35 ringgit and diesel 76.1 sen.

Not a burden

Muhyiddin said he hoped the price increase would not be a burden for Malaysians.

The two-sen increase last year did not have a great impact o­n inflation or the prices of goods and services, he said.

"I feel that all consumers should accept the fact that they have to bear part of the price increase by paying a bit more than usual," the minister said.

The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) price will also rise by two sen a kilogram.

Muhyiddin said the global oil price was likely to increase to up to RM190 (US$50) a barrel in the event of war in Iraq, from about 32 dollars or 33 dollars currently. -- AFP