KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 24): Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil has refuted a viral infographic claiming that the government would abolish subsidies for diesel and RON95 petrol in the second half of the year.

He emphasised that the Cabinet has not discussed the withdrawal of subsidies for diesel or RON95 petrol.

"The infographic that went viral on social media did not provide accurate information and has resulted in public confusion," he told a press conference on Wednesday.

Fahmi added that he would request the finance ministry to publish a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on the diesel and RON95 petrol subsidies, as well as the new taxes the government will implement this year, to provide the public with accurate information.

Separately, Fahmi said the Cabinet deems the establishment of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the handling of cases involving three disputed islets in the Singapore Strait as very important, as it is related to borders linked to the sovereignty of the Malay rulers.

Names of the RCI members would be first presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his consent before a public announcement is made, he said.

Earlier, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali announced that the Cabinet had decided to form the RCI to look into cases involving the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Batuan Tengah, and Tubir Selatan.

The ownership of the three islets located between Johor and Singapore have long been an issue of dispute between Malaysia and Singapore. In a 2008 ruling, the ICJ awarded the Middle Rocks formation to Malaysia while the nearby Batu Puteh or Pedra Branca was given to Singapore. Malaysia sought to have the Pedra Branca part of the ruling overturned in 2017 but dropped its claim a year later after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad became prime minister in 2018.