KUALA LUMPUR (Malaysia): Fuel prices may be reduced further next month if the average world crude oil price for this month stays below US$104 (RM360) per barrel, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad.

"If it doesn't, then there will be no change in price," he said at the Hari Raya open house hosted by the Prime Minister and his Muslim Cabinet ministers at Putra World Trade Centre on Wednesday.

The last fuel price review was done on Sept 24, when the Government announced a 10 sen reduction, bringing petrol and diesel prices to RM2.45 and RM2.40 per litre respectively.

On the shortage of fuel in some stations, Shahrir said the reason was because station operators could not make their cash-before-delivery (CBD) payments for their supply, as banks were closed for the Hari Raya holiday and over the weekend.

Shahrir also said it was unacceptable for station operators to blame the shortage on the Government's announcement of the fuel price reduction.