Lower courier charges to reflect fuel price drop, PKR tells MCMC

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) must order Pos Malaysia to reverse its recent increase of courier charges in light of global falling fuel prices, PKR said today.

PKR Investment and Trade Bureau chief Wong Chen said the price increase of courier services went against conventional practice of reducing the cost of goods at a time where oil prices were dropping.

“Common sense dictates that prices of services such as transportation and shipment, including courier service industry, should come down. So why has the courier charges for Pos Malaysia increased dramatically?” Wong said in a statement here.

PosLaju, a subsidiary under national postal service Pos Malaysia had recently moved to raise the minimum price to courier a letter below 500 grams. The increase took effect on January 1.

Wong said the onus was on MCMC Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek to find a solution to the matter, saying that the federal government could very regulate the prices of courier services. “We call upon the Minister to do his job and bring the prices of courier down in light of falling petrol prices,” he added.

The 51 per cent increase saw prices jump by RM1.50 to RM5.00 as opposed to the previous cost of RM3.50 to courier a letter below 500 grams.

This price does not include a 15 per cent fuel surcharge and the upcoming 6 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“Pos Malaysia is not a loss-making concern. In 2013, they made a whopping RM151 million in profit after tax with revenue of RM322 million from its courier service alone,” Wong claimed.

Wong speculated that the price increase and falling petrol prices could see Pos Malaysia making even bigger profits this year.