Last thursday the govenment increased the price of petrol by whopping 40% and diesel by 63%. This is an inevitable move by the govenment in view of the skyroketting price of crude. We are now painfully paying for the government previous sins.
The government has rightly advised the rakyat to 'change your lifestyles'. There have been many calls from the rakyat for the 'government to change its lifestyle' too!
The government must practise prudent management of the rakyat's money. Top of the list is an integrated, comprehensive and efficent public transport system. In fact this was promised during the last fuel price hike but I dont know how much improvement has been made since I dont use the public transport system. But judging from the many letters to the Editors of newspapers, I think the government has been guilty of making empty promises.
The government must make concerted efforts to help the disadvantaged and lower income citizens in these difficult times. Already calls from diverse groups like lorry operators to accountants to nasi campur sellers seeking to increase their prices, are heard. They will increase their prices but I hope not by 40%! Most middle-class salaried workers will adjust their lifestyles - like planning their trips, eating at home more often, defer unnessasary purchases - and they can ride through. But the low-wage earners like the security guards, taxi and bus drivers should be taken care of. I dont know how - may be food coupons or free public transport? But the government must ensure that leakage through abuse or corruption is minimal.
Repeat-The governement must practise prudent management of the rakyat's money. Do away with unnessasary spending. The national service is one such example. It has failed to achieve its main objective which is to foster racial unity; although its minor objectives like improving selfconfidence, independence etc have been easily met. As Najib said, alot of people (ie. cronies) are involved, they cant just stop it. Then compensate these 'alot of people' so that they can still make their returns on thier investments but at a much lower rate. In fact, a personal friend of mine is directly involved in this and I dont want her to suffer any losses.
We all hear about cases of corruption in the government involving politicians and beureaucrats at the highest levels. The government must be very serious in its belated delivery of tackling corruption.
I hope those people using the argument that Malaysia is an oil producing country so then our petrol should be subsidised, would shut up. They are confusing the ordinary people and giving false hopes. The best for us is to accept the fact that oil is expensive, adjust and move on. But the government must take steps to spend the savings from the subsidy removal for the betterment of the people.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
1) How many cars are over 2000cc?? Few or may be very few only. Meaning that many (rich or poor), will still benefit from the cash rebate irrespective of their gas using habit. This is not what we want. We want the poor to receive more.
2) Let say I am a businessman who runs a car rental service and I own 50 cars for rental. I rent the car to customers and customers fill and pay for the petrol themselves, so essentially I will receive $31,250.00 ($625.00 x 50) annual cash rebate for doing nothing, extra profit from the stupid policy maker and government.
3) Let say I am a filthy rich man and I own 5 luxury cars but all are below 2000cc, or may be I am just a rich man who likes to own nice cars, then I will be entitled $3,125.00 ($625.00 x 5) annual cash rebate despite being filthy rich with overspending lifestyle while my fellow poor neighbor who owns a Honda 70cc kap-cai only receive $150 annual cash rebate despite being poor and living a thrifty lifestyle!!! VERY STUPID GOVERNMENT!!!
4) Let say I am a poor man who don't own any cars/motorbike and I rely on public transportation to go to/from work, then I will not get anything sumore I am likely to pay more for transportation fares due to the diesel hike, despite me being very poor not even capable of owning a motorbike, being nice for using public transportation thus relieving road congestion, being environmental friendly by not burning fossil fuels, but in return I get punished!!!! DAMN STUPID GOVERNMENT!!!!!
5) And lastly can the uncle-uncle and auntie-auntie at the POS offices handle the sudden surge in demand for counter services as a result of the cash rebate?? Judging from the services and experiences I had with those uncles and aunties, I don't think so!
Anyway, I am not all critics and no help. My suggestion is why not implement the rebate in the form of income tax relief/rebate base on income level?"
Post a Comment