He said these parties were deliberately ignoring facts about rising global fuel prices due to the Middle East war, stressing that such actions mislead the public and undermine trust in the government.

Speaking to students and staff of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Anwar said his previous comments on reducing fuel prices were made during a period when global oil prices were much lower.

“The price of oil in Saudi Arabia was 50 sen at that time,” he said, reported Buletin TV3.

“Now all oil-producing countries, including the United Arab Emirates, have raised fuel prices due to global factors … but this is not taken into account.

“Instead, certain sentiments are being played up to mislead the people.”

Anwar said the government continued to maintain targeted assistance for the public to help ease the cost of living and urged students to counter the spread of inaccurate information on social media.

“The youths should step forward to provide clarification, not simply follow narratives that are not based on facts,” he said.

In 2008, Anwar, then in the opposition, said he would cut fuel prices if he took power.

The Middle East war, which is in its fifth week now, has resulted in rising fuel costs following disruptions to global supply chains.

Brent crude prices have surged past US$100 since the conflict escalated in late February.

Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill is estimated at around RM4 billion a month, as Putrajaya maintains the subsidised RON95 price at RM1.99 per litre under the BUDI95 scheme alongside targeted diesel subsidies.

However, it temporarily reduced the subsidised RON95 quota from 300 litres to 200 litres per month, effective April 1.