Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has embarked on a month-long campaign to get as many signatures as possible among Sarawakians to petition the government to bring retail petrol and diesel prices down to last year's levels.

With 'Say No to Petrol Price Increases' banners and placards, PKR state liaison committee chairperson Wan Zainal Abidin led party members at the starting point of the signature campaign in Kuching's busy Jalan Satok commercial area late yesterday afternoon when office workers were on their way home. Among them was social activist and lawyer Dominique Ng, who is also a party member.

A police party, including photographers, were also seen in the vicinity to observe what was going on.

Wan Zainal told reporters there was little justification for the recent increases. "We're concerned about its possible impact on the welfare of the low-income group," he added.

"It is not just about the additional 10 sen or 20 sen that motorists will have to pay for a litre of diesel or petrol but the spiralling effects on costs of goods and services across the board that must also be considered by the government," he said.

He described the recent petrol price increases as "totally unjustified and unbearable."

Ng said in a state which is making a significant contribution to the country's oil wealth, Sarawakians have every right to make demand on the government for diesel and oil prices to be retailed much less than the present.

"We would like to request that the prices of petroleum be restored to the prices about a year ago, where super is about RM1.20 and diesel is only 80 sen a litre," he said, adding that the government will not lose out if it implements this petroleum price restoration move "for we, the long-suffering people of Malaysia, deserve a better deal."

Oil reserves

He said neighbouring Brunei has not changed its petrol prices which it has been maintaining at only B$0.51 (RM1.12) for super and B$0.31(68 sen) per litre for diesel.

Malaysia's daily crude oil production is estimated at 600,000 barrels per day with about one-third or more coming from Sarawak. The country has an oil reserves of about 4.3 billion barrels which is estimated to last 20 years base on current level of production.

Sarawak is also one of the largest liquefied natural producers in the world.

The petition is to be sent to the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi with a copy to Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.