It was a relatively tame day as MPs kicked off the parliamentary debate in the Dewan Rakyat until about 45 minutes before the sitting ended this evening.

Backbencher Hasan Malek (BN-Kuala Pilah) who has tabled the motion to thank the royal address switched his debate to the recent hot topic - the much-criticised hike of petrol prices.

As expected earlier, backbenchers expressed their full support for the government's hefty increase of the fuel prices between 18.5 percent and 23 percent.

In his debate, Hasan told the House that the government has allocated RM1.19 million for petrol subsidies in the first two months of this year alone while RM7.41 billion were allocated of this purpose last year.

"The Barisan Nasional government is not a government that simply hike the petrol prices," he stressed, adding that the government has taken various measures to lessen people's burden.

He also advised the people not to view the issue from a "simplistic perspective" and oppose the price hike but that the people must learn to be thrifty at times.

"We should use public transport for example. To exercise thriftiness is also in line with Islamic teachings.

"I hope members in this august House should understand (the price hike) and subsequently help the government to explain the reasons behind it," the Kuala Pilah MP stressed.

At this juncture, Che Min Che Ahmad (BN-Pasir Puteh) interjected and echoed Hasan's views.

"I support fully the price hike of 30 sen," he declared.

More explanation

However, he called for enforcement to be strengthened to curb the price hike of other goods and services like "teh tarik, roti canai, water and parking charges".

He also wanted the government to take strict action against smugglers of illegal petrol to neighbouring countries.

Hamim Samuri (BN-Ledang) meanwhile asked how the government could ensure that the prices of other goods were not hiked and how the public transportation system would be improved.

Earlier today, MPs debated on issue pertaining to national school and poverty.

A total of eight days, beginning from today, has been allocated for the debate on the King's royal address delivered in Parliament yesterday. Ministries will have two days to reply.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he has not imposed any gag order on BN MPs to speak out on the petrol hike after chairing a closed-door meeting with them on the issue.