Communist allies of the ruling coalition began a week of protests against Wednesday's price hikes by calling one-day strikes in the three states they rule - West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura - leaving streets, offices and airports largely deserted.

They say the government should have done more to insulate consumers from high global oil prices. But anger at having to pay more for fuel - the price hike was about 10 percent - was mixed with frustration at the communists calling a strike that would deprive people of their income and disrupt travel plans.

With state oil companies on the verge of bankruptcy, India's government had little choice but to raise fuel prices, analysts say.

But the rising cost of food and other essential commodities have been driving inflation up and alienating voters.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's resurgent opposition vowed yesterday to stage protests against steep fuel price increases, piling pressure on beleaguered prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The government said on Wednesday petrol prices would rise 41 percent to help save the state US$4.23 billion (HK$33.03 billion).

Analysts say the price hike would rescue government finances but also trigger an early exit for the prime minister.

Coupled with a rise in power tariffs, the fuel hike is expected to boost the opposition, which claims to have enough support to topple the government.

REUTERS