As international petrol prices have recently pulled back from their peak, the Macao Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) announced in a statement yesterday that the government’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and petrol subsidy scheme will end at 11:59 p.m. tomorrow, following comprehensive analysis and in alignment with the principle of prudent public expenditure.
The statement pointed out that Macau’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for last month fell by 0.15 percent month-on-month, while the transport index dropped by 1.01 percent, and the housing and fuels index decreased by 0.16 percent, indicating that the local overall inflation level remains stable. The indices also showed that the diesel subsidy scheme and the LPG and petrol subsidy scheme have achieved their intended goals of providing timely short-term financial relief and stabilising essential public livelihoods.
The government urges the relevant sector to adjust retail fuel prices in Macau reasonably and promptly to reflect international crude oil trends, meeting the expectations of the public and the business community, the statement said.
The statement noted that the government’s interdepartmental fuel monitoring team reminds both the general public and commercial users that current regulations impose strict upper storage limits on flammable and explosive items, including LPG. Residents and merchants should order petroleum gas strictly based on actual demand and refrain from hoarding excessive LPG due to the scheme’s conclusion, preventing severe fire safety hazards, the statement cautioned.
Additionally, the fuel monitoring group urges the public to stagger their refuelling and gas delivery orders over the next two days to avoid congestion at petrol stations, according to the statement.
The monitoring team will continue to track the implementation of the subsidy scheme closely, the statement said, adding that an independent third-party auditor continues to inspect, audit, and verify all relevant sales data, receipts, and records. If any fraudulent sales records are detected, criminal liability will be pursued in accordance with the law.
An Iranian Shiite Muslim pilgrim walks past banners of Iran’s slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei (left) and his son, the current supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei (right), as he enters Iraq through the Shalamjah (Shalamcheh) border crossing in Basra province yesterday to take part in the commemorations for Arbaeen, hours after the crossing was targeted by a US airstrike. – AFP
