The Government takes seriously efforts to conserve energy. However, it should not micro-manage how people or businesses use energy, and decide for them what activities which use energy are or are not justified.

Businesses are in the best position to make their own commercial decisions on where, when and how to serve the needs of their customers. They will need to balance the additional cost of operating 24 hours against the extra revenue they expect to generate in making such decisions.

For petrol kiosks sited in close proximity to each other, commercial sense must similarly prevail. If there is a lack of demand, those which do not make sufficient returns will have to close, leading to an optimal number of operators.

The Government provides the market with good infrastructure and a conducive business environment. For enterprise to thrive, the rest is best left to market forces and free competition. This is the way to build an efficient economy which responds flexibly to changing conditions.

Lim Bee Khim (Ms)
Director
Corporate Communications
for Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Trade and Industry