Good time in bad times

After blowing RM3 million on the Millennium Park in SS13, Subang Jaya and turning it into a monument to ineptitude and poor planning, the Subang Jaya Municipal Council has gone one better.

Now, it plans to spend RM216,800 of ratepayers’ money on a lavish dinner for 1,200 people at a five-star hotel in Bandar Sunway. The one-night affair tomorrow at Sunway Hotels and Resorts is to honour its staff and 25 councillors for their contributions.

On the night, 100 employees will be awarded RM1,000 each for their “stellar” performance. That’s RM100,000. The remaining RM116,800 will go to the event itself, which includes the use of function rooms and a five-course Chinese dinner.

This expenditure of public funds in light of the current economic uncertainty has drawn the ire of residents’ associations and NGOs, who have lambasted the council for it. The Malay Mail

Ah, power is lovely in Malaysia. The hotel and the councils "star" performers receiving their rewards are not complaining, are they?

RON 97 price to be floated

KUALA LUMPUR: The price of premium grade petrol RON 97 will be floated according to international oil prices from July.

It is understood that oil companies briefed their retailers this week that there will also be changes to grades of fuel sold at pumps.

Several retailers said the "regular" grade RON 92 fuel would be phased out and a new grade, RON 95, would be introduced, in addition to RON 97.

The retailers said there would be a subsidy on the price of RON 95 fuel used by a majority of cars in Malaysia. more at NST