While representatives of workers and consumers decried the petrol price hike, which took effect today, one hitherto vocal critic of government policies gave conditional support to the move.

Malaysian Trades Union Congress president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud

It came as a shock to us. The announcement was totally unexpected and abrupt. It is a very steep hike and the late-night announcement has raised eyebrows. I heard about it at almost midnight and was told that people were thronging the petrol stations.

The General Council will have an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the next course of action.

Pak Lah (Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) has maintained that transparency and accountability are the pillars of his administration but it doesn't appear to be so.

If it is, then why shock the nation with such an announcement that most affects the ordinary rakyat and workers? Moreover, their salaries don't reflect the increasing cost of living.

As it is, workers are finding it difficult to even get a three to four percent increment. In fact, some are not even getting a half-yearly increment.

Next, the government is going to announce a tariff hike for electricity and although it claims to have spared the low-income group, there is bound to be a chain reaction with industries passing the cost down to consumers/workers.

Fomca president N Marimuthu

We are concerned that the price hike in fuel will correspond with the price increase in transportation, logistics, food and beverage, and construction industries.

Consumers must brace for the ripple effect from the fuel hike. They must also be prudent and thrifty in spending based on needs and should refrain from conspicuous consumption.

By differentiating between their needs and wants, simple practices such as eating out less, cutbacks in leisure and entertainment, and alternating between the usage of private and public transportation will be effective during such taxing times.

The government must fulfill its pledges by utilising the money saved from the subsidy for the benefit of the people and the development of the country.

We also emphasise the government's role in ensuring that an efficient and affordable public transportation system must be firmly in place throughout Malaysia, using the money channelled from the fuel subsidy reduction.

There must also be transparency in informing and mentally preparing the public on the issue as it has a deep impact on their livelihood.

The government must step up on price monitoring activities in ensuring price stability and gauging the inflationary impact of the hike.

We also stress the need to address the issue profiteering by businesses, by hiking up prices of essential goods and services.

The Fair Trade Bill which has the capacity to curb unethical profiteering activities, and which has been in draft form for the past 10 years, must be tabled in this coming Parliament sitting as promised by the domestic trade and consumer affairs minister.

Consumers Association of Penang president SM Idris

Our neighbours, for example, Thailand and Indonesia have removed subsidies for good economic reasons. Singapore has left petrol prices to market forces. In this region, Malaysia has the lowest rate.

The increase in price should not lead to inflationary tendencies and prices of food and other goods should not increase. The government should ensure that there is no domino effect on consumers.

The number of taxis and buses to be operated by responsible operators capable of running a good transportation service should be increased. The government should also think of pooling taxis and reinstating car-pooling.

If transportation costs need to be increased, it must be reasonable and operational costs must be kept to the minimal. In addition, the government should introduce inter-city shuttle service such as a rail link between Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh-Penang.

Aliran, social reform movement

We are alarmed by the sharp increase. We can now expect inflation to gallop as the prices of many items ranging from transport to foodstuff to express bus fares will now rise.

As usual, these price hikes will hurt the lower-income group, including retirees and commuters the hardest.

The government must take full responsibility for aggravating the hardship and not providing alternatives.

Billions of ringgit of Petronas funds have been squandered. These funds were used repeatedly to bail out banks. Billions more have been spent on mega projects such as Putrajaya.

As oil prices soar, Petronas has posted record profits. The government is morally obliged to make public the Petronas accounts in detail on how our oil revenue is spent.