Rafizi dismisses Najib supporters as Umno's problem, says no talks on lowering fuel prices

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli today dismissed the move by a group of supporters of jailed former leader Najib Razak to declare support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the coming state polls, saying it was an internal matter best left to Umno to handle.

Rafizi said Pakatan Harapan (PH) has other segments to focus on, especially fence-sitters, adding that it was already assured of votes from its "hardcore supporters".

"As the unity government and on behalf of PH, the best way to convince the people to vote for us, in my opinion and experience, is by focusing on matters most important to the people. 

"Whether or not it has an impact, I believe that our focus on fence-sitters would yield better results in the election than being caught up with specific groups," he told reporters today.

Yesterday, a spokesman for a group of supporters of Najib slammed Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for blocking a contest for the top party post.

Speaking at a press conference, Syed Muhammad Imran Syed Abdul Aziz urged Najib's supporters to back PN to send a message that they disapprove of Zahid leading the party.

"We're no longer comfortable with Zahid continuously using us to support him by riding on Najib's name," he said.

Fuel prices

Meanwhile, Rafizi said there has never been any discussion within the government to bring down fuel prices.

Responding to speculation that the Ron95 fuel price would come down by 10 sen in the coming days, Rafizi said he was not aware of any such decision.

He said, on the contrary, crude oil prices have gone up past the US$80 mark.

"I haven't heard anything at all. It's been seven months of economic discussions, and so far, not once has the issue of oil prices been mentioned," said Rafizi, who is known for advocating lower fuel prices during his time in the opposition.

The issue of fuel prices has frequently been raised by critics of the government, with opposition leaders frequently mocking a promise by Anwar Ibrahim over his repeated promises in the past to slash the price immediately after becoming prime minister.