Petrol prices were supposed to increase by 20 sen per litre this month, but this was reduced to 15 sen instead due to intervention by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, according to Finance Minister II Johari Abdul Ghani.

"Based on the October price, the price (increase) was supposed to be 20 sen but the prime minister felt that we should reduce it a bit.

"Hopefully in November, if the market improves then we don't need to do any increase.