PM should seek Parliament approval on June 23 for hefty oil price increases
Ipoh’s protest :
KL’s protest :
Some hundred people, including DAP MP for Ipoh Barat, M. Kulasegaran, Perak State Assembly Speaker Sivakumar, Perak DAP State Excos Su Keong Siong, A. Sivanesan and Chen Fook Chye and DAP Perak Assembly members Leong Mee Meng (Jalong), Lim Pek Har (Menglembu), Ong Boon Piow (Tebing Tinggi) and Siva Subramanian (Buntong), together with representatives from trade unions and NGOs, gathered outside the Perak Federal Building this morning to fire the first salvo of protest on behalf of Malaysians at the hefty and unconscionable increase of oil prices yesterday.
The half-hour protest went off smoothly, with Kula, Su, Sivanesan, Chen and myself speaking briefly on the protest.
In Kuala Lumpur, a similar protest, attended by five DAP Federal Territory MPs (Dr. Tan Seng Giaw, Fong Kui Lun, Tan Kok Wai, Teresa Kok, Lim Lip Eng), Manogaran (MP - Teluk Intan) and Selangor DAP State Assemblywoman Jenice Lee Ying Ha (Teratai), was held at the Pudu Market, Jalan Pasar.
Excerpts of my remarks at the Ipoh Protest this morning:
The sudden hefty oil price increases – 40.6 per cent and 63.3 per cent increase in pump petrol price and diesel price respectively – creating a seven-hour nation-wide chaos is an outrage as it is most unconscionable, unjustifiable and deplorable reflecting poorly on good governance in Malaysia especially after ministerial undertaking that there would be no changes until August.
The introduction of annual cash rebate of RM625 to those who own cars of 2,000 cc and below, and pick-up trucks and jeeps of 2,500 cc and below, and cash rebate of RM150 a year for owners of motor-cycles of 250 cc and below, as well as road tax discounts, will not be able to fully cushion the low and middle-income Malaysians from the inflationary spiral which would be unleashed by the greatest hike in oil prices in the nation’s history.
Equally of concern will be the deterioration of the public safety index, with the expected worsening of the crime situation which has already become an endemic problem causing Malaysians, tourists and investors to fear for their personal safety, their loved ones and the safety of property as well!
The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday:
“We cannot keep subsidising at the current rate. We must reduce wastage. If we can change our lifestyles, we will not suffer a terrible situation.”
However, the present government has no credibility in setting an example of “change of lifestyles” in eradicating the parasitic subsidy mentality as it has shown no political will to eliminate the rampant waste, extravagance, abuse of public funds, lack of accountability and corruption rife in the public sector, as illustrated by Malaysia’s worsening reputation on corruption whether nationally or internationally, the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) bailout scandal, the lack of accountability for the Petronas billions, etc.
In the previous oil price increases in February 2006, the government promised radical improvements in the public transport system – but nothing has come out of it.
The Prime Minister and all the Cabinet Ministers owe Malaysians a full and acceptable explanation why they could not fully involve the Malaysian public in the restructuring of the fuel pricing system which is fair and equitable to the low and middle-income Malaysians and done in a competent , professional and accountable manner as to avoid the seven-hour nation-wide chaos yesterday.
Parliament, which ended its meeting last week and would meet again on 23rd June, should have been the forum to decide on the fuel pricing system which is fair, equitable and efficient.
Why was Parliament by-passed altogether by the Cabinet?
The first item of business of the forthcoming parliamentary meeting should be a motion to seek approval of Parliament for the hefty and unconscionable oil price increases yesterday. This motion should be moved by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi himself.
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 36.37
My god, how come the price hike was not informed or approved by the cabinet? Can they do this? Even a public listed company director cannot bypass the procedures and regulations. Gee….our PM really take this like his playground…our money, our right
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 37.17
This fuel hike is outrageous. It’s robbing the poor and giving to the rich. How can we Malaysians go on living like this? Help us.
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 37.55
Petrol price had gone up. Everyone knows it. So many desperate fellows actually drove their cars bumper to bumper queuing in lines just to get their tanks filled last night hoping to save some money before the super price hike. I am no MBA or economist, so I am in no position to fully understand the fuel subsidy thing and their effect on the economy and blah blah blah. But as a normal citizen who has an almost properly functioning brain, I can tell you that the currently planned method of cash rebate is a piece of shit that could only come from someone with shits in their heads.
Reasoning :
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?
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 38.14
YB,
On the 23rd of June, could you pls propose a vote of no confidence on tht dumb dumb liar. Real idiot. I am currently studying in Australia, and my lecturer came up to me this morning and asked me what is wrong with my PM. I told him, tht PM wants to be remembered for something before the PR kicks him out and becomes the new goverment. Abdullah, pls start ur own blog so we can all personally tell you how dumb you are, and lets see the other idiot Ka Chuan support you.
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 38.19
We must keep pressuring the corrupt BN-UMNO government!! If not because of their corrupt practice and poor governance, the people would have enjoyed a lower fuel price with efficient public transport system!
BN-UMNO must be consigned to rubbish bin as soon as possible where it rightfully belongs!
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 39.12
Parliament doesn’t mean anything to UMNO, they are just interested in getting the MONEY!
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 42.38
And…subsidising the people’s cost of living is a wastage??
Bodoh UMNO!
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 42.48
i strongly support that our dear YB to arise this matter in the Parliment.To protest.This is a Global issue,I think this is only BN word of mouth.Furthermore,I also asked All Wakil rakyat if can,vote the PM to step down as Prime minister,as he do not realise how is the economy in malaysia,i think.
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 45.11
I have a question to ask Our YAB,is that possibly that the Pakatan rakyat can deny the petrol increase in Parliment,As BN has no 2/3 majority?
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 45.56
Great job! Let’s organize more protests especially in Penang! BN really suxx.. They don think about the citizens but only themselves. That’s a lousy gov ever. Don’t they know that their responsibility is should try to help us instead of undego inflation in our country but not burden us with such decision made (fuel hike)?
We’re not stupid anymore PAKLAH.. That’s no way YOU urged the malaysian not to protest at the street. YOU had fool the nation few times already. People, let’s think what our PM had brought to Malaysia since 2004? I think ‘fuel hike’ is one of his ‘glorious’ record, isn’t it?
Petronas should not gain all the profit from the crude oil. They should make things clear that this natural resource is for all Malaysian but not only for BN and Petronas.
Let’s wake up all malaysian! We should protest what the government done to us!
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 51.51
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June 5th, 2008 at 12: 52.23
YB, we are suffering and please help to pressure BN until they bring the price down… We have done our part by casting our vote to PR and now is the time for PR to do something to rakyat..
I hope PR can take control of the federal in sept and bring the price down immediately…. I am okay to let oil price flowing freely provided we must make good use of the petronas money and also reduce the vehicle tax and etc….
We are just in the middle of suiting ourself in facing the hiking of groceries price and in a sudden that BODOHWI pour salt in our wound…
I hate BN!
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 55.17
It seems that the fuel price hike is decided by UMNO alone. Why other BN component parties are keeping quite?
MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, PBB, PRS, SUPP, SPDP….where are your balls?
Killer tsunami awaiting you all!
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 59.30
True, petrol price increase is a world wide “phenomenon”. But why some non-oil producing countries can cope with it so well and yet Malaysia, a so called oil-exporting country, is getting into such a mess. The answer is simple: The government in the past has been relying too heavily on oil revenues for the country’s development and sustenance. BN must be held responsible for years of economic mismanagement.
June 5th, 2008 at 12: 59.31
Malaysian are rich and stupid, tats why VW dumped their car selling so much higher compare to Benz and BMW.
With this in mind, our hero PM sure don’t give a hack of how the rest of the cabinet or member of parliament think such ridiculous decision, as M’sian are rich and stupid.
The coffer is already empty, billionth of funds transferred thanks to Taik, the next phase will be cleaning whatever still remaining asking the ppl. to eat themselves.
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 03.26
The gov giving rebate of RM625 a year? For those who believe that there will be RM625 waiting for you in your post box, please kick yourself for believing it.
Dont need to talk about this RM625 figure which is from divine inspiration. Even a longer established office to handle tax rebates can delay your rebates for many years and lose your filing or such bull crap. So what makes you think that this RM625 which has yet to have people taking care of distribution will reach you?
I would suggest that every single person in the country just stop showing up for work for a week. There is no point in doing street protests or holding up banners or such things. They will just call up the police to spray you with chemical laced water cannons and gas you. Besides, how many people can partake in the protests? Fuel price go up so do you think that many people will actually drive out to the gathering spots? Expensive you know? I have a solution for a much better way to protest.
Just stay in the comforts of your home and not work for a week. Lets see how the gov will react to that. The whole national economy will spiral down and it will be a sign that the people are pissed off.
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 12.35
To the Sabahan Ministers and all sabahan people, this is what you get now . Before real money comes to you all, the government already slash your wrist . People all now suffer. They “Promise” you something, but before you can get the real sweeteners, the government take a huge bite on you. Wake up Sabahan !!! Don just listen only. Feel the pinch now !!!
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 20.20
Our PM is a unresposible person and liar. Most of the time he don’t mean what he said. He is just a puppet and don’t care at all about the hardship of the rakyat.
I am beginning to get worried about my business. I wonder how long can i last with all these escalating prices.
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 22.36
to all PR supporter lets all of us conducts formation to protest yesterday petrol hike!!! lets push the evil minds governance once and for all.
to all fellow pr supporter we have to stay on together to push the demonised government to secured our future and our children future. LET PROTEST>>>>>>SAY XXXX to ( Barang Naik )
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 22.37
ahkok1982 Says:
Just stay in the comforts of your home and not work for a week. Lets see how the gov will react to that.
————————————–
The gov will not react, your boss will react
A better solution is to keep educating the young and naive Malaysians to vote BN-UMNO out totally come GE13. If the voters have wisdom, we won’t have such incompetent and corrupt government!
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 23.38
To our sabahan friends, what our PM had promised you are just lip service to shut you up. Nothing are going to materialize at all.
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 29.18
smart 4 tham to announce right after parliment session, PR MPs we need no confidence vote in next parliment, bring them DOWN
until then the rakyat are willing to bath for free from fru water cannon, shed tears by fru gases, bruise and beaten by fru baton
the rakyat is NOT afraid
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 30.11
Thanks to the great mullah, those Malaysians now surviving on 3 meals on day will have to make do with two– breakfast and dinner. This is because the cost of food will go up by 40% in tandem with the fuel price hike. Any chance the US ships turned away by Myanmar will unload their food aid in Malaysia?
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 32.07
We need to bring down BN once and for all or else our next generations will be slave and will never ever compete with other countries.
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 32.11
If MCA, MIC, & GERAKAN leaders are sincere in their very vocal support for their community and members welfare since their dismal performance at the last election, then they should ACT and WALK OUT from the BN NOW!
FORCE a RE-ELECTION and change the government.
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 37.57
…and if MCA, MIC, & GERAKAN leaders have the balls to walk out, the other component parties like PBS, SAPP, UPKO, PBRS, & LDP…and quite possibly some from Sarawak side and even a few from UMNO camp (who doesn’t want to be left out of the picture)..WILL follow suit.
In a forced re-election NOW, GUESS WHO WILL WIN THE ELCTION???
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 38.56
To all those who plead that fuel price hikes is a global phenomenon and an inevitable event, kindly consider this:
The formula for the existence of UMNO is this circular symbiotic arrangement - less subsidies means more money for contracts means more money for cronies and relatives means more leakage means more support for the person who dishes out the contracts means the UMNO President cannot fall.
The price hikes may be inevitable but the underlying reason is that it is fundamental to Badawi’s political survival. Hence the total disregard for public welfare.
I can accept a price hike that is due to events beyond our control, but when the underlying reason is that of political survival of a corrupt regime, then I will go on protesting against this injustice.
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 39.51
since Abdullah Badawi became Prime Minister in 2004, petrol has gone up by 97.1%, while diesel increased by a whopping 231%.
Source: http://www.jeffooi.com/
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 42.52
Again, I’m saying that street protest is not the solution.
Surely our MPs can think of better rational safer realistic solutions to counter this.
Stop all this protesting street deom crap or some of the people involved might get hurt.
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 51.30
By the way, Pak Lah got facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Abdullah-Ahmad-Badawi/11355965805
Go there lor.
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 52.52
[...] PM should seek Parliament approval on June 23 for hefty oil price increases [...]
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 56.49
Tahniah buat seluruh pucuk-pucuk kayu BN, pak2 menteri, YB2 dan seluruh jentera, pendokong, juak2 dan puak2 mahupun penyokong Barisan Nasional a.k.a Be End atas kenaikan minyak ini. Mujurlah tak naik 98 sen… mudahan rakyat malaysia bersyukur atas hadiah besar lagi hebat ini….. Inilah dia yang mereka kata TRADISI MEMBELA RAKYAT…rekyat merempat! thanks them for this increment!!??! increasement!??
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 58.09
AAB just play as GOD! He doesn’t care about the rakyat suffering, all he cares is about is own power and family interest.
June 5th, 2008 at 13: 59.19
kes kenaikan minyak ini bolehlah diibaratkan : SUDAH JATUH DITIMPA TANGGA…SELUAR PULAK TERKOYAK…TANGAN TERKENA TAHI AYAm…MULUT MASUK PASIR….kesiannnnnn…. ape ke he nye yeop !!!!
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 03.18
Yes. Ask alot of questions at the coming Parliament sitting. Better still have a “mass dialog” at Parliament House where the public can attend in numbers.
And I don’t think your street protests today was well planned or thought out. And the presence of your senior members.
I certainly love to see the headlines tomorrow “State Assembly Speaker and Senior State Exco members beaten up and detained”, or something like that. Boy, that would be fun.
Get the Pakatan State Assemblies to pass motions to condemn the price hikes. Can you do that?
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 19.16
Our current leader is following the footstep of Ah Bien (Taiwan).
After DSAI who will be the next prime minister?
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 28.50
harga minyak mesti mau niak!!! tapi.. gov jugak mau turunkan tax harga.. Tax kereta di Malaysia adalah tax yang termahal di region ini.. Even a very old car but with higher than 2000cc have a pay a very high tax.. How come..!!! stupid UMNO..!!! Tax yang kena pada kita dah berapa kali ganda boleh cover subsidise utk petrol.. again.. STUPID UMNO…!!!! BUAYA..!!!
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 28.57
IS AAB is punishing the RAKYAT for not electing BN back to power with a 2/3 majority?
AAB dare not go to seek Parliament approval with such high 40.6% up of petrol increase and will be hammered by both sides. Better announce it early and let the RAKYAT jumps. Surely we are all jumping with anger as it will create more ‘JUMPS’ of ALL GOODS and SERVICES in the coming days and weeks and months.
Cost of living is going up up and up. Does BN cares? Definately not, I suppose they think they can do anything they want.
With all the ’savings’ from subsidies, why do they have to have such high increases and now all PR Politicians must come in ‘arms’ to question and bring the BN down to earth.
Go go go, PAKATAN RAKYAT. Bring BN down now !!!!!
DL5
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 30.21
May i know where is the profit of Petronas go?? Price increase to RM2.70 per litre so that Petronas can grow its profit (Double-digit growth). People living expense is also double digit increase.
As the writing up that government try not to subsidies the fuel so that it can put the money somewhere else to grow the country. May i ask, can our country stop to grow for these 2 years if every citizen is suffering from high living cost. Petronas money should be used to cushion our fuel cost in the country.
What is our government is trying to do???
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 30.39
I suggest PM calls for a snap election. Let the people decide if the price hike is acceptable.
The time is just right. Let’s see if he himself can win in Kepala Batas. Will see how many BN candidates will lose their deposits.
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 33.06
t is haphazard decision hastily decided by a low calibre Badawi cabinet.
On TV3 Badawi prided that the cabinet took 4 long hours to deliberate on the issue! Only 4 hours of deliberation for such an important issue? An important decision of this nature which has a rippling effect on the whole nation should be studied by a competent team of economist, academicians and thinkers for months - not by shallow thinking cabinet ministers in 4 hours!
1.A large number of those two cannot afford motorcycles and small cars take buses to go to work. When petrol price increases, it is a foregone conclusion that the bus owners will increase the fares. Instead of helping the poor, this category of people will be hit by a double whammy – increased bus fares and increase in prices of food, goods and services and everything else!
2.A new small car costs much more than a second hand car. For example, a small new 850cc Kancil cost $27,000 can carry about 4 persons albeit with some difficulty but a second hand 2500cc Volvo 850 costs about $15,000 could carry goods and 5-6 people easily without problem. In fact, we do find a lot of poor kampong folks driving big, old but cheap continental cars/vans/jeeps because it is more suitable for carrying farm produce as well for transporting their large families. Again they will be hit by a double whammy - increase in price of petrol and everything else!
3.In a poor family of 10 people, only one can afford a small car which is used to make 2 trips to transport everybody. Only one will receive a small petrol payment (for one trip) and the other 9 members will have to bear the increased prices of petrol (for 2nd trip), food and everything else.
4.The huge increase in price of petrol will cause a chain reaction on the increase in prices of other goods and services. Whatever small amounts received by the motorcyclist and small car owners will be largely negated by the more than disproportionate increase in prices of goods and services.
5.Which stupid idiot equates rich or poor with the cc of the vehicles? An average office clerk may own a second hand 1300cc proton Iswara costing $7,000 (rebate = $625) while the Robert Kuok’s children can own a fleet of 10 new cars of BMW, Audi and Volvo all less than 2000cc costing $2 millions and get a total rebate of $625 x 10 = $6,250!
6.In Malaysia, the heavier burden is caused by cost of travelling to work. The cost of travelling will have to include:
1. toll charges,
2. amortisation of the vehicle’s cost over the economic useful life of the vehicle, or, for those who have obtained loan financing, the monthly loan repayments,
3. the annual vehicle maintenance cost (tyres, brake pads, engine oil, spark plugs, etc)
4. road tax,
5. Parking; and
6. petrol
If you analyse above carefully a huge chunk of the expenses goes to car amortisation cost and toll charges. Everyone who has travelled overseas knows for a fact that Malaysia has one of the highest numbers of tolls in the country and very high excise duties on cars.
Take a real life example of a typical average worker in Malaysia earning a take home pay after deducting EPF of RM 2,000 a month. He drives a small 850cc Kancil (cost RM27,000) and travels to and from work each day from his home in Cheras averaging about 40 km. His typical monthly travelling cost is:
Amortisation of car for 10 years ($27,000/10/12)………….$225
Petrol (based on current price)……………………………………$200
Maintenance of car…………………………………………… ….……..$100
Road Tax ($50/ 12)…………………………………………… ……………….$4
Parking ……………………………………………… ………….………………$90
Total Travelling Cost per Month……………………………………$619
Percentage of Travelling Cost to Take-Home Pay…………31%
It simply does not make sense that the use of vehicle for travelling to work to earn revenue for the country would be a whopping 31% of his take home pay for a country that is a net exporter of oil. That does not even include his payment for the increased price of petrol and monthly expenditure for food, housing loan, medical expenses, children schooling expenses, etc, which are certain to increase if the prices of petrol increase.
It makes stupid sense to make a small amount of cash repayments to a small portion of the citizens but the cost of tolls, utilities, food, goods and services keep on escalating. I don’t know whether they are aware that not all registered owners are the actual users of the vehicle and how the repayments could go to the actual persons intended.
This way of abrupt petrol price increase would be disastrous to the nation and once the negative chain reactions (stock market slow down, run away inflation, economic slowdown, corporate under-budgets, etc) happen, the nation might not recover from it for a long time.
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 34.20
The word [b]“subsidy”[/b] has been brandished by the BN government as if it has so generously helped the rakyat and in doing so incurred losses. This simple example will help to clarify the situation:
[b]Example:[/b]
Ahmad is a fisherman. He sells a fish to you at $10 which is below the market value of $15. Let’s assume that he caught the fish from the abundance of the sea at little or no cost. Ahmad claims that since the market value of the fish is $15 and he sold you the fish for $10, he had subsidised you $5 and therefore made a loss of $5.
[b]Question :[/b] Did Ahmad actually make a profit of $10 or loss of $5 which he claimed is the subsidy?
[b]Answer:[/b]
Ahmad makes a profit of $10 which is the difference of the selling price ($10) minus the cost price ($0 since the fish was caught from the abundance of the sea). There is no subsidy as claimed by Ahmad.
Had Ahmad not caught the fish himself but purchased it from another person at the market price ($15), then he is right in claiming that he had made a loss of $5 (Selling price $10 –cost $15) which is the amount of the subsidy.
The BN government claims that it is a subsidy because the oil produced by Petronas is kept separated and treated as somebody else’s property (you know who). By right, the oil belongs to all citizens of the country and the government is a trustee for the citizens. So as in the above simple example, the BN government cannot claim that it has subsidised the citizens - not if Malaysia is an oil producing country!
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 37.31
UBAHLAH GAYA HIDUP PAK LAH!
Jadikanlah diapa rakyat jelata bawah,
barulah mereka faham apa itu susah.
Mainkan politik macam main masak,
pemimpin jahat tu yang suka desak.
Dia akan rasmikan najis itu makanan,
hidup/mati dengan dia tak berkenaan.
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 38.21
Another sad day for Malaysians….
Expecting an increase but surely not this much….
There is surely a conspiracy on this. The BN knows that their days are numbered and now till the next GE will do everything and anything in anyway for whatsoever reason to drain out Malaysian coffers, its naturals resources…
And to say that cross over to PR is not ethical. Since when did BN practice ethics or transparency….
I expect more bail-out, more mega project, more close one eyes, more BN top bossess (to resign and then move out of the counries after making tonnes of money) before PRU13.
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 41.19
On the other hand, Godfather, I thought this could possibly be the last nail.
The impact is tremendous. Firstly such jump must be given with ample warning. His announcement was uncharacteristically at 6 pm. That caused massive jams.
Secondly the ripple effect, lets say it’s a tsunami effect, would render many businesses scrambling for additional finance. Okay, you and I can calculate the cost increase, but what about the street vendors who are just scrapping by? They could only calculate their cost after a week or so, and by then, many would suffer losses.
Thirdly as a nation, we are not calculating on just the savings obtained. “Savings” is elusive and the PM knows it. But the losses would be tangible. Immediately transportation cost spiral. Average families with 2 cars need another RM250 to RM300 in fuel budget.
Fourthly, the greatest impact would be on the lower income group. 40% and 63% petrol and diesel costs translate into some 2% to 2% increase in our expenditure, but for lower group, it could be as high as 6% to 10%. Affected are the grass cutters, motorboat man (Sabah/Sarawak), and farmers; they are the main losers.
I have no answer to this increase, but whatever increase needed, PM Abdullah could have done it in stages.
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 43.23
sorry for chinese comments, p/s: “????????????????????????IPP????????????????????????????‘???????’????” hope your see this at newspaper, not fair….
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 45.37
Keep writing to the “sleeping PM”.
http://www.warkahuntukpm.com.my
I am very disappointed with the huge and sudden increase of pump petrol prices. The govt has yet to explain Petronas accounts and make it public before burdening the citizens. How could an oil-producing country’s govt justify forcing its citizens to pay market prices for the country’s natural resources that belongs to its citizens? It really boggles the mind to accept the PM’s explanation.
The govt keeps telling us to change our lifestyle, take local vacations, send on neccessities not luxuries, etc… These slew of wise advices from the mouths of the well-off creme-de-la-creme of govt and society does not go down well with the masses. We are already struggling to put basic food on the table, rice and vegetable, don’t even mentioned meat or fish. Price of chicken is not controlled and cost of rice has escalated tremendously. I dread to think what will happen on Monday when children have to board school buses. Will there also be another increase of school bus fares? I’m already paying RM80×2=$160.A 40% increase is $224! My current petrol usage is $400/mth. A 40% increase is $560! My monthly house instalment is $1100. With a salary of $3500, I’m hardly keeping afloat. What more other families who are less fortunate.
I agree that the people through their respective MPs ought to table a motion to veto the Cabinet’s decision, forcing them to rescind their unilateral action without going through Parliament.
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 47.02
I don’t know if Malaysians ready for drastic action in form of silent protest to boycott the government.
June 5th, 2008 at 14: 53.00
Back in 2004, AAB ask the people to “work with him and not work for him”.
That was back then…
Now…he wants the rakyat, to be his slaves???
I dont think so Mr. PM!
And what has the de facto Leader of Keadilan got to say in this? He promised a petrol price reduction? Are we heading in the right direction?
My god…I’m shocked and dunno what to believe now!
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 12.22
Mana pergi KeUNTUNGan Petronas?
for sure go into UMNO pocket, you tot Oppositions will get any…!
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 15.22
Bro Kit,
UMNO does not give a damn about Parliment! The Cabinet took 4 hours to decide on this? Goes to show how serious they were! 4 hours to decide on a 40% rise?
Pak Lah askes us to change our lifestyles & not be so wasteful?! Maybe when the BN changes & stops being corrupted then tell the Rakyat to change!
Well, it’s time to change alright! Change the bloody BN (read UMNO) Government!
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 17.15
As the price hike is not a change of constitution of Malaysia, the PM and his cabinet do not have to put it through the parliament.
The 625 compensation is certainly not enough to cover the increase in cost of petrol for most of the working community. Hope YB can ask for that figure to increase.
We are in for a rough ride.
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 20.43
A - Apek
B - Bikin
D - Duit
U - Untuk
L - Lancarkan
L - Ladang
A - Anak dan anak menantu
H - Haram
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 21.36
dEAR WALAO..the cabinet has approved and had made that decision…but what YB Lim trying to say is PM should brings this matter to be passed by parliament….it seems that you just like to commenting by not reading the writings..huh…
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 25.49
This is not bad governance, this is “Samseng” governance. I think everyone expects petrol price will go up but NOT up by a hefty 40% for a oil producing nation!!!!!!!! Yesterday the Indian government has also raised their petrol price but by only 10%!!! Can’t Malaysia learn to do it gradually, take sufficient time to prepare hearts & minds & let incomes catch up during the period? Are they trying to instill national unrest????
Just imagine the rippling impact on prices of other items, now we have to expect an escalating inflation such as the nation has never seen before coming to Malaysia.
Lets hope it won’t go out of hand, OR can it just be that the BN has purposely planned this to create national chaos so that they can stay in power, divert attention from Mongolian murder, Lingam saga etc etc?
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 31.08
I am so aggitated with some Malaysians who’d like to make non-sense remarks..For me its enough showing our dissapproval on the matter with well-manner writing. Making such non-sense allegations is nothing less we could do to improve our standard living. YB Lim, help us with your briliant ideas.
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 32.51
Some sort of silent and demonstration protest need to be organize here…
My wife and me were part of the 98 demo and still today, we were very proud of it. It was not just an issue for one man - DSAI suffering only and it shows today since that fateful day that more and more un-imaginable event/ mismanagement/ corruptions etc happenned
I am willing to demo again (but off course leaving my wife taking care of my children). To show our dis-satisfation…and again palying hide and seek with the FRU.
Which is why I maintained my opinion and position…To all BN MP’s please cross over if you still want to have your dignity in the eyes of Rakyat. Please save Malaysia while we can and do not wait until another 5 or 10 years
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 49.25
Stop paying bills and taxes to BN government and GLCs.
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 49.30
justice_fighter Says:
The gov will not react, your boss will react
A better solution is to keep educating the young and naive Malaysians to vote BN-UMNO out totally come GE13. If the voters have wisdom, we won’t have such incompetent and corrupt government!
==============================================
Of course education is necessary but it takes time and time is very obviously not on our side. Of course, boss will react but then what will the reaction be? Fire everyone? Close shop? What do you think taxes from these business go to? The gov will feel the pain…
How do you think Ghandi protested? Hunger strike.
Try staying at home for a week, not spending much on food, entertainment or anything else. Heck, dont even turn on any electrical appliance.
If enough people do this, what do you think will happen?
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 52.56
Does Abdullah care a damn about what parliament says? He thinks he has the absolute power because he is PM, Minister of Finance and Home Minister! These gave him the absolute power to do what he likes but it looks like this may be his last act!
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 54.10
YB Lim,
Street protests alone would not bring in the necessary changes. Such protests would be capitalized by the Umnoputras and innocent but concerned citizens might even get mauled by the police and the govt. thugs in blue.
For protests and demonstrations to be effective, the participants need to be better informed. The PKR component parties especially the DAP should explain very clearly what the 41% petrol, 63% diesel and the 20% electricity hikes would cost the ordinary citizen.
Since the MSM cannot be trusted to give the true picture, I suggest that PKR distribute leaflets in English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil and other languages of Sabah and Sarawak highlighting the issue in terms of escalation of prices of consumer goods, services and other utilities.
What must also be made apparent is the spiralling effect of this exorbitant hike on the lifestyles of the average citizen.
The elites in the Umnoputra hierachy will not feel the pinch at all and they can ask the citizens to CHANGE their lifestyles but it is these clowns that need to CHANGE their mindset and come down from their ivory towers to ground zero to feel the misery of the rakyat.
For all Malaysians, even the fence-sitters to feel that a CHANGE in government is necessary the downside of the status quo need to be explained. The BN MPs from Sabah and Sarawak who have been branded as frogs by everyone including Mahathir need to be convinced that their future and the future of their peoples is with PKR and not the rotten BN.
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 55.47
The effect of fuel hike is instantly seen. I was on my way down to Jalan Pasar before noon today and was surprised at the few number of cars on the road. It only took me ten minutes to reach Pudu from Cheras (a journey which would normally take half an hour). If everyone thinks the same way, i.e. travelling less and only when necessary, then the fuel hike may not prove profitable to those concerned. And if everyone were to boycott Petronas filling stations, then Petronas will definitely feel the pinch!!!!!
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 58.31
We need formation to protest petrol & diesel on Agong Birthday (7/6/2008) In front of Istana. Any one???
June 5th, 2008 at 15: 59.17
Sigh……. Malaysia is such a lucky country. Even after a 40.6% increase, its petrol price is still one of the lowest in the world. (All prices in US Dollar.
London…….$2.15
Singapore…$1.58
Tokyo……..$1.50
Sri Lanka….$1.46
Sydney……$1.39
Delhi……….$1.19
USA………..$1.00
Bangladesh..$0.97
Vietnam……$0.90
Malaysia……$0.83
Indonsia……$0.65
Beijing………$0.61
Source: Reuters
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 02.19
Fuel hike would definitely have an adverse impact on the sale of Proton cars. No wonder AAB is disowning Proton just before the fuel hike. Now that Proton is “bare” and unprotected, can it again be as arrogant as it was in 2000 where EON salesmen asked for “under counter” money for “fast cars”?
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 03.17
Are you sure (TheWrathOfGrapes) We have oil production.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_usage_and_pricing
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 03.27
I can sense a VERY VERY BIG TSUNAMI is building up.IT will 100% blow the BN people away for good.
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 14.14
YB,
I was inspired to write this poem after hearing all the news about the latest fuel price hikes. May I share this with you and your readers?
Troubled times
What troubled times we are living in nowadays…
Yesterday, we said goodbye to rm1.92 petrol,
Now we don’t even know whether to put our lives
In the hands of the public transport drivers
Or even walk all the way, if need be.
I can’t even begin to envision a truly developed Malaysia
When the poor gets poorer,
And when the nasi lemak gets smaller
And even we have to pay premium prices for our bread.
I don’t know…
Should I just pretend that everything is alright and walk along
With the nonchalant masses?
Or rally like-minded people and call for
An end to injustice, unequality and imbalance.
I might be scared of even holding a placard stating my beliefs.
I don’t even want to be robbed.
I don’t want to die young or even penniless.
I just don’t want to live in fear everyday.
These are troubled times we are living in everyday…..
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 14.19
MIC, MCA and other components party MP, all KECUT…
same like Nazi Nazri said they are juniors and sit behind him, he’s full minister can “goreng” RAKYAT in-front of YouTube.com…
kepada anjing-anjing BN, please use your CACING BRAIN to think who are you in BN… just a anjing jalanan… you’re chosen by the RAKYAT to protect RAKYAT interest not Makan, Tidur and Berak bersama UMNO…!
Wake UP…!
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 14.52
I have a question. Do you guys think that at the very least that trucks etc ought to get an exemption of sorts or at least bigger subsidies? Would this mitigate the rising costs of logistics for our local industries and hence slow down the general price increases, or do you think that the overall petrol price increase’s effect on inflation is going to be so large so as to render any such attempts futile?
BTW, coming from Sarawak, I can say that it is very unlikely that Sarawak MPs would switch. If you know Sarawak at all, you’d know that we have one of the most corrupted man in Msia pulling the strings. He is probably going to take this chance to secure his position from ACA and the Federal Govt itself (!). I heard that he has been staying in power this long because he has yet to find a way to watch over his interests after he leaves office. It seems that he is going to get his chance. Just watch within this year or two! Also, PKR and DAP need to work out their issues in Sarawak first - in the last election, one or two seats would have gone the opposition’s way had it not been for DAP and PKR contesting for those seats at the SAME time!
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 17.33
I think its ok to raise petrol price. Not sure why you all react so strongly. Its not like we’re so special from other people around the world. We’re not high volume petrol exporter also. What we need to blame is inability of BN to make our currency exchange higher and better transportation. Anyhow, this is expected.
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 20.35
Enough is enough! The price hike is totally unjustifiable. The Federal Government should be focussing on cutting waste, reducing leakages, rooting out corruption, optimise savings, etc. etc. Malaysia is the laughing stock of the world when virtually other oil producing nations maintain very low prices for their consumers! It is only RM0.16 in per litre in Venezuela.
Something is not right … PETRONAS must be made to account to the people. BN must be made to account how can they justify spending grandiose sum on mega projects which benefit the people very little and yet remove the so-called subsidies which come at a bad time, i.e. in view of the global food price crisis?
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 21.30
kkc - I don’t think the problem is that prices are going up. I think it is the fact that it’s a sudden 70sen increase that is causing so much anger. I am also not sure if raising our exchange would help us since we need to maintain lower export prices to compete with other countries. But you are right, BN needs to improve our public transport services.
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 39.57
The BN government’s priorities are wrong. The priority is not to gradually remove the subsidy at this stage, but how best to use PETRONAS export earnings to help the middle and lower income people. If the government is interested in helping consumers, PETRONAS should be *nationalised* and be made accountable to Parliament so that its pricing monopoly can be broken.
Let nationalisation take place within a free market environment that promotes *free* ocpmetition in determining the price index.
And let the DAP and the Pakatan Rakyat be at the forefront of resisting this totally unjustifiable and unconscionable policy of this inept and incompetent BN federal government on the back of the massive display of public outrage and anger!
” …to fire the first salvo of protest on behalf of Malaysians at the hefty and unconscionable increase of oil prices yesterday.”
YES!!! Hidup Roket! Maju DAP! Utamakan-lah Malaysia!
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 44.17
The country was raped by Mamakthir and his cronies for 22 years with impunity because others from the MCA, MIC, GERAKAN, ppp and other component parties from Sabah and Sarawak with vested interests decided to suck up to the dictator for the crumbs from his dinner table.
Petronas which was formed with the rakyat’s money became the financer for all the mega projects of the Mamak era. He even had the temerity to demand a crooked bridge be built to pander to his ego.
The privatization or is it piratization of public utilities, the Proton setup which only benefits a particular race at the expence of all the races, the extension of the NEP indefinitely (quote Najis), the so-called subsidies for fuel when the country is a net exporter of petroleum and of course the lop-sided toll concession agreements in favour of the toll operators (operated by UMNO party cronies) have only brought disaster and hardship to the rakyat during his dictatorial rule.
AAB’s dismal 4 year’s performance, the present directionless beginning does not portend a bright future for the country. A hefty 90 odd percent hike in petrol prices and an exorbitant 200 odd percent hike for diesel from 2004 to date only shows what a miserable record of inefficient governance he has to show the rakyat. Not that the country would have been better off if the mamak was still in power. At least he had the foresight to abandon ship when the going was still good but to a bumbling simpleton!
It is not fair to put all the blame on AAB but then when he has a bunch of idiots in his cabinet, what can one expect? More hard times for the rakyat!
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 46.40
Here again another flip flop decision to ban the pumping of petrol in the border towns. We have another flip flop when Shahrir are saying there will be no petrol price increase on Tuesday and the very next day Bodohwi announce the price increase.
Is there any consultation among the ministers and the PM??? Are they working under two separate entities?? Why are they confusing us all?? Bodohwi are just not the material to handle the economy of the country.
They are asking us to adjust our lifestyles but with so little money left in the pocket, how to adjust??
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 46.53
“Imagine ur dad is a fisherman, he caught 1kg of fish and cook for u, then he ask u to pay him RM2.70, the son complained why ? The dad told the son, look … the fish will cost u RM4.00 if u buy outside. It is already cheap as I subsidized u RM1.30″
sonofpenang
blogspot
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 49.03
I am very disappointed with the federal government. It is not the price increase that we are all pissed off about. It’s the blatant disregard and disrespectful way in which it was handled. Pak Lah says he will announce new subsidy plans on 4-June-2008 to be implemented in August 2008. Then without warning, like a stab in the back, he announced immediate price increase from RM 1.92 to 2.70 per litre with immediate effective after midnight. WHAT KIND OF government is this? Is he our Prime Minister or a Dictator? Where is law and order? Try doing this to the civil servants, announce salary will be released on 30th June then on 1st July, tell them all get salary cut by 25% with immediate effect. I bet the whole of Putrajaya & every other government building will be on fire. Literally.
How nice if he would announce that he would step down on 30th July 2008 and then immediately resign from UMNO today.
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 54.26
how come BN not get 2/3 majority ,still can by passed without approval from parliment ?
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 55.27
i thought they fail to win 2/3 this term, they couldnt suka suka increase the petrol n etc..
June 5th, 2008 at 16: 56.56
Blame our misfortunes for in spite of a tsunami we are unable to change a government that is corrupt to the core. Where has Petronas money gone and how it is spent, nobody knows except those sitting right at the top of UMNO. They will keep on bleeding the rakyat until we are dry, perhaps with the notion that they won’t be the Government for long. As the saying goes a cornered tiger is a dangerous tiger and that is what UMNO exactly is.
They will keep on telling the rakyat to “change lifestyle” as we often heard even after the Feb 2006 price increased. The Big Question is they changing their lifestyle as leader by example. On the contrary now they can afford a better and more luxurious lifestyle after robbing from the rakyat. More money to the Government means more money into their pockets. The PM can now fly more comfortably in his private jet and perhaps have more honeymoons with his new found beloved wife. The FT ministry can have more visits to Europe for lawatan sambil belajar. More money for the cronies and more money to buy votes, in away to get better anchorage to be the government. This exercise is not simply that they are unaffordable to subsidize but a political maneuver.
You do not need an economist to know why the Government has become a sadist to punish the rakyat. The hefty increase twice during this Bodohwi’s era is unprecedented. Simple economics will tell that Malaysia being a net exporter of oil will stand more to gain in any rise in price as compare to the losses in subsidizing. Have you all realized that they conveniently forgot about Brunei?
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 01.55
If I am a company CEO, do u think I mind a Rm0.78 increase of petrol? For those that approve it, they didn’t even know how to pump petrol. Unless, they have to go down the petrol station, pay and pump their own. Everything they uses is consider allowances or claim, for sure no problem even a increase of Rm2.00/ litle.
End of the day, the top management will not have impact, cause everything uses is not from own pockets.
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 02.16
I dare to think that perhaps..just perhaps..that Bodohwi got bad advise (to drastically increase fuel & food prices) by insiders out to bring him down silently. Why not? Bad move makes very angry Rakyat which is not limited to none Bumiputras.
If this is the case, then it’s a very nicely orchestrated coup d’état and I “salute you Sir”…whoever you maybe! But then again, given that that Bohdowi doesn’t know what the hell is going most of the time, it wasn’t a very difficult stunt to pull off.
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 03.20
Of course , the price increase of petrol and diesel is expected, as it is a Global issue BUT, the government should have more sympathy to the raayat than a SUDDEN AND HUGH HIKE when the raayat were suffering from higher cost of living from price increase in rice , wheat flour and every consummable products.
Yab Perdana Menteri, STOP asking the raayat to change their lifestyle. They have no more money even to buy a loaf of bread. The lifestyle change should be from the TOP down.
1) cut your salary by 50%.
no need for police escorts.
2) cut all ministers salary by 40%.
3) take a cab or bus or walk from your official residence to JPM. VERY short distance only.
4) sell off the jets.
5) cut salaries of ceo of GLC by 30%.
6) dont need to bring wives along on business trip.
7) cut down on fancy launching at 5 stars hotel.
9) buy your own car / pay your own petrol. (if needed).
10) dont show off by having international events that dont benefit the raayat.
until than, DONT ASK THE RAAYAT TO CHANGE LIFESTYLE.
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 07.41
These day light robbers BN goons publicly declared projected inflation only 5% for this year.
Hey, joking or kok toking. Think Rakyat Malaysia retarded?
This gomen utterly made up of bunch of professional liars and cheaters.
Hope BN blind supporters now feeling the knock out punch from their own masters.
Chinese can never fight alone put it straight. Only Rakyat Malaysia ie Malays, Chinese, Indians dll all stand together united under one roof can weather the dark BN storm! Pressure cooker is building fast!
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 10.38
The people is getting poorer mr PM, are you awake?
our oil company will again, report a huge post tax profit.
he no Robin Hood you know, you are the sheriff of Notingham, you rob the poor to aid the rich.
HOW MUCH IS THE IPP PAYING FOR DIESEL NOW? I REALLY WANT TO KNOW!
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 11.04
Bravo to the government, Malaysia has deteriorated in the poverty index. Are we going to end up like Philippines, Bangladesh and Indonesia? Sooner or later our future generation will degenerate to low cost labour and maids?
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 13.12
8 March 2008 Tsunami is nothing to them.
Let’s give them an AVALANCHE that wipe the bunch of corrupts out of this nation!
ARE WE READY PAKATAN RAKYAT?
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 17.25
If only the government can cut down its excess.
Pak Lah reduce his overseas trip. Fly on a commercial jet. Sell the executive jet.
Scrap the Monsoon cup. Cancel the space programs. Do away with commission for the purchases of arms and military hardwares.
Lots More. Arresrt all corrupted bastards and make them return their ill gotten wealth.
With the money saved, it could actually subsidise the petrol.
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 25.06
This increase is shocking but more is to be expected. Please continue to speak out that rise in prices of petrol and electricity, will almost certainly fuel inflation and that will certainly worsen the crime situation. We are all at risk. Abolishing corruption under this Barisan Government is our dream. I hope to see see it in my lifetime, but somehow I don think so. You cant teach the crab to walk straight.
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 32.56
PM without brain
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 36.38
>righttoequality Says:
Bravo to the government, Malaysia has deteriorated in the poverty index. Are we going to end up like Philippines, Bangladesh and Indonesia? Sooner or later our future generation will degenerate to low cost labour and maids?……….
Hmmmm……Malaysian can compete with others globally in term of low-cost labour and maids…afterall we are still considered a third world country.
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 46.55
TheWrathOfGrapes Says:
Today at 15: 59.17 (1 hour ago)
Sigh……. Malaysia is such a lucky country. Even after a 40.6% increase, its petrol price is still one of the lowest in the world. (All prices in US Dollar.
London…….$2.15
Singapore…$1.58
Tokyo……..$1.50
Sri Lanka….$1.46
Sydney……$1.39
Delhi……….$1.19
USA………..$1.00
Bangladesh..$0.97
Vietnam……$0.90
Malaysia……$0.83
Indonsia……$0.65
Beijing………$0.61
Source: Reuters
—————————————————————-
Hey Bro, you compares like this not fair. Look at our neighbours, cars is cheaper, less toll, medical benefits, unemployment benefit, clean transparent government, good infra and utilities. LOOK AT US?? We have the worst standards. Don forget we have crude oil resorces. Want to compares??
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 50.06
Indeed i agreed with all of you…I wish the DAP or PKR is time to do something about that group of idiot that sit on the cabinet position chair, those buaya and vampire that suck away our country money and OUR money too and only good to make us suffer and not mentioned keep cheating us…
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 55.44
The consequences of fuel increase in Malaysia -
1) Higher crime rate
2) Increased unemployment
3) Salaries cut
4) Increased rural and urban poverty
5) Higher inflation rate
6) SMIs and SMEs are likely to close down
7) Street demonstrations
9) The rakyat become more angry
10) Change of Federal Government from BN to PR
Q - Another political tsunami in the making?
June 5th, 2008 at 17: 58.00
What would happen if crude drops to say USD 60 and stay at that level? Petronas profits and government revenue from oil would drop 50%. Would BN government adjust pump price to reflect cost which would probably be around RM2? Government revenue would now be seriously slashed. How to finance projects? pay civil servants? Or will rakyat have to pay a tax on fuel to keep the price at 2.70 to meet shortfalls in revenue?
I suggest the following measure:
1. Tax toll road operators at 80% income tax instead of 26%. Their share price will drop like a rock. Khanazah can mop up the shares and nationalise toll operations, then charge a much lower toll rate.
2. Do the same to IPPs. Mop up cheap shares then supply electricity at fair rates.
June 5th, 2008 at 18: 02.05
The leadership of AAB..’Lembap,Lembik,Lembut’.
No wonder DRM is so frustrated with him.
Suka-suka naik when the economic is no good.
Suka-suka tidur when asked for decision…( please refer to Khairy )
The world is laughing and laughing and laughing at us.
Ever wonder what has he done since becoming PM..
how many countries has he tried to promote Malaysia?
Or just mahu main cucuktanam ( agriculture)?
Does he has the aim of turning Malaysia as a developing country?Malaysia Vision 2020 and it coming closer and closer….
June 5th, 2008 at 18: 03.09
TheWrathOfGrapes Says:
Sigh……. Malaysia is such a lucky country. Even after a 40.6% increase, its petrol price is still one of the lowest in the world. (All prices in US Dollar.
London…….$2.15
Singapore…$1.58
Tokyo……..$1.50
Sri Lanka….$1.46
Sydney……$1.39
Delhi……….$1.19
USA………..$1.00
Bangladesh..$0.97
Vietnam……$0.90
Malaysia……$0.83
Indonsia……$0.65
Beijing………$0.61
How can Malaysia, a net oil exporter, be compared to oil importers? Why are other oil exporters not included in the list?
June 5th, 2008 at 18: 06.45
We the Rakyat want ALL THE BN/UMNO Minister to pay for thier own petro and use the own car. NO MORE USING TAX PAYER MONEY!!!
June 5th, 2008 at 18: 15.57
Describe your feeling on the latest increase in fuel prices @ sonofpenang.blogspot.com
June 5th, 2008 at 18: 16.33
the AAB administration is so coward as to announce the oil price increase this week, when parliament is not in session.. why not they announce it last week, and let Pakatan Rakyat MPs table an emergency motion..
June 5th, 2008 at 18: 18.24
And we dont have a choice.
Poor and dangerous public transport system is only alternative for most of us.
Cities in China are doing away with motorcycles on their streets by providing good and efficient public transport.
Here in malaysia we will surely see more of those two wheelers.
That is Regression.
Perhaps there is some truth in the statement: “All Roads lead to Rome.”
By regressing we will and can also achieve our 2020 developed nation objective.
June 5th, 2008 at 18: 19.57
yes, let all the UMNO and BN ministers and their family use their own cars and pay the petrol with their own pocket money..
June 5th, 2008 at 18: 24.33
I’m OK with the removal of subsidy of the fuel, as suggested by the shadow budget 2008 by DAP… it’s perfectly fine…
However I think this price hike is too sudden and too steep… and the fact that, like Kit you’d said, the transparency of Petronas funding, corruptions issue, and the lack of development in public transport etc is worrying…
Why so hurry? Why not sit down, and deal with these issues before you lift the petrol subsidy?
June 5th, 2008 at 18: 38.54
The first thing I did was increase and adjust the the salaries of my staffs..today.
We have no extra profits to do that….but my staffs will be suffering. I cannot just watch and do nothing.
June 5th, 2008 at 18: 44.06
Bapa Inflasi Malaysia - abdullah badawi
June 5th, 2008 at 18: 49.34
TheWrathOfGrapes Says:
Sigh……. Malaysia is such a lucky country. Even after a 40.6% increase, its petrol price is still one of the lowest in the world. (All prices in US Dollar.
London…….$2.15
Singapore…$1.58
Tokyo……..$1.50
Sri Lanka….$1.46
Sydney……$1.39
Delhi……….$1.19
USA………..$1.00
Bangladesh..$0.97
Vietnam……$0.90
Malaysia……$0.83
Indonsia……$0.65
Beijing………$0.61
I noticed you added our neighbour Singapore but you have obviously forget to include our neighbour, Brunei who is also an oil exporter like us.
June 5th, 2008 at 19: 02.11
WAIT TILL THE GOMEN ANNOUNCES FUEL HIKE ALLOWANCES FOR THE PUBLIC SERVANT, then we will definately be F@CK!
June 5th, 2008 at 19: 11.49
They have done it. What can we do?
They can tell you all the reasons…why it should be done.
And we Malaysians know they are a bunch of cock and bull reasons.
It’s one cover up….after another….and they simply cannot find a way…to stop Singaporeans coming to Johore….buying cheap petrol.
But..that is not the main reason….as don’t think Singaporeans want to waste time and energy…to save some money.. buy petrol and go back,. They may save and enjoy some savings….spending them in Malaysia…as our important.. tourists. It’s similar to people going to Hatyai…savings so much..and spend it all there too. So indirectly…it is a great booster for tourism. Why don’t UMNO think like that?
And if you say….introduce “toot toot”….the Vespa type of small taxi transportations plus horse and carriage…..in few of our cities….they know….this will kill off..may buying cars…so cannot be done. It will effect Proton good sales!! And proton belomngs to UMNO….indirectly.
They love to find ways and means to sell more cars…and don’t tell me….they cannot predict the petrol problems….few years ahead of it all.
You see…they always act…when are caught..with their pants down.
So increase price…balance up with some goodies announced. Are they kidding?
The goodies will take one year to get back..plus another year to actually get the refund….that is.if you actually can get the refunds….at all….but the fact is…..Malaysians need to buy petrol daily on cash basis……so it will be those with fixed low income workers…suffer most MONTHLY!!. That’s why..I had to act fast…..and increase their salaries…no choice. We bosses must suffer together with the workers….when the chips are down.
What can we do?
Diam..said spend spend spend…to create turnover….to cover up his corrupted deed with Mahathir.. It worked!!
Dollah said …..save save save…change lifestyle. It will also work.
Why not!!
So Malaysians…lets follow all those good advises….from UMNO…and vote them in forever and ever.
Malayasia Boleh!!
June 5th, 2008 at 19: 20.14
It is surprise that the five states opposition in the north did not protest for the oil price increased. Are they comfortable with it? (Don’t they’re realized that they are now “Pembangkang” and suppose to fight for the “Rakyat” here)
June 5th, 2008 at 19: 32.53
Looks like Badawi is too scared to show his face in public that he has to send his wife to make a speech for him. Malaysia has become not a good country to live in because of UMNO’s corruption and greed. And UMNO has the nerve to ask the rakyat to change their lifestyle when it should be UMNO to change its lifestyle of rampant waste and inefficiencies.
June 5th, 2008 at 20: 03.10
Just wait. UMNO will come up with new “projects” that will help the rakyat through difficult times. Innovative transport arrangements, maybe even accelerating the various LRT extensions. Of course, due to the urgency of such projects, these will have to be done through “negotiated tenders”. Guess who will be the lucky contractors and subcontractors.
June 5th, 2008 at 20: 08.05
UMNOputras to change their lifestyle ? Are you kidding me ? Rosmah to stop her shopping sprees ? Badawi to sell the new Airbus A320 jet ? Azalina to stop promoting cuti-cuti Malaysia ? Reezal to sell his Bentley ? The son-in-law to “bungkus” his TENC outlet at the Pavilion ?
Did someone volunteer to run naked in the city if UMNOputras can change their lifestyles ?
June 5th, 2008 at 20: 15.59
impact of petrol hike is 41%, the biggest impact is diesel due to hike of 63.3%…almost all the transport system out there are running on diesel….foods, materials, etc
June 5th, 2008 at 20: 16.58
Please don’t compare fuel price directly. Take the toll into consideration and also income level. How about our car price?
Read here
http://shiokguy.blogspot.com/2008/06/petrol-price-hike.html
and here
http://shiokguy.blogspot.com/2008/05/rip-proton.html
Happy driving or cycling
Shiok Guy
June 5th, 2008 at 20: 30.00
What could be reasons enough for AAB to let rip this fuel price increase in the middle of the week, done so conveniently to miss the first seating and yet so urgently before second seating of parliament?
Well, one is to incite enough knee jerk reactions from the public.
The attempt to seed this thru the motoring public is plain enough to see with the motoring public confronted with sudden traffic jams some up to 7 hours. Unplugging the plug on a Wednesday at 6 pm right in the middle of a working week cannot be any more calculative to incite anger from the Malaysian motoring public, which is the largest public grouping during peak hours.
What is so critical [so urgent and so important] happening to Malaysia that it must have such maximum effects above plus that the Malaysian public at large must also suffer? The twin reasons officially promoted by the cabinet: firstly, to stop what the government termed as huge losses thru its domestic fuel pricing system because of the steep global hydrocarbon prices and rising, and secondly to stop profiteering on the cabinet decision [to stop the subsidy].
But these official reasons are so generic, and so matter of fact, so routine given the Malaysian backdrop. The Malaysian government routinely loses in so many aspects of its business facets: the PKFZ, the illegal migrant in Sabah, the automobile industry, the brain drain, and not mention many NPLs and bail outs. In profiteering, what about the APs, Mr 12 % ali baba, ad infinity. In other words, the implementation can easily wait until further inputs from the public; after all many things are in waiting in Malaysia: the IPMC, the illegal migrant in Sabah, the Lingam tape etc.
So what was it that was and is so critical to warrant such implementation at 6 pm on a Wednesday smack in the middle of the week ,as if Malaysia would vaporize in thin air if done so?
It may turn out to be very personal in nature in the continuing standoff between TDM and AAB.
TDM highlights on AAB alleged part in the Iraq Oil for Food Scandal, must be sensitive enough to drown in out with the agitation of a few million motoring public.
Could it also be the resurrection of the illegal migrant subject in Sabah which could attract unwanted international attention?
Or could it be more political for an UMNO renaissance with a true blue Malay founder [as opposed to UMNO Baru founded by TDM whose immediate ancestry hailed from India].
June 5th, 2008 at 20: 30.02
BN UMNO never discuss with PAKATAN RAKYAT at all?
PAKATAN RAKYAT voted by RAKYAT!
disrespect PAKATAN RAYKAT = contempt of RAKYAT
June 5th, 2008 at 20: 50.05
How come they are still there making all the important decisions? They are obsessed with cutting subsidies because that is the only government expenditure that they can dispense with without hurting their pockets. After all our hurt is their gain. Imagine once the subsidies are reduced, they could have so many billions more to siphon and squander. Ya, coming back to my opening line, why why why are they still there? Why all the big talks in PK to take over the federal government have fizzled to nothingness. Please don’t talk too much if you can’t deliver, PK. Soon people may not even have confidence to let you govern.
June 5th, 2008 at 20: 53.06
I think that Malaysians must learn the bitter lesson that it MATTERS who they put in power.
If not for anything, it’s because the incumbent is in a very powerful position to do things that will shake the whole country and seriously affect your lives.
If you have an incumbent who refuses to leave even when he is voted out, what can you do? Just look at some of those “leaders” in Myanmar and Zimbabwe and many others like them around the world.
They will have the police, the army, the judiciary etc on their side. You have nothing!
Isn’t that a very sobering thought?
June 5th, 2008 at 21: 25.35
To all BN supporters especially from Sabah & Sarawak. See what you have done to all the Malaysian.
June 5th, 2008 at 21: 52.21
The Economists from the BN-led Government were trained in which University one ? Don’t play play with the country’s future !
June 5th, 2008 at 21: 55.19
Transport charge rised up 25%
Building material like sand rised up about 10 to 20 %
Backhoe rental rised up 15%
So…. how to continue with the contruction work?
June 5th, 2008 at 21: 56.36
This is a tactic to taste people reaction. This gov try to mess the people daily life by sudden rule and anouncement. This gov also thinkin a deceitful political gain….
June 5th, 2008 at 21: 58.59
COULD IT BE THE GOVT IS IN A CRITICAL FINANCIAL SITUATION? HOW COME? SIMPLE. FORWARD SALE FOR OUR CRUDE OIL FOR YEAR 2008 AT AVERAGE US70 PER BARREL BUT NOW HAVE TO BUY FOR OWN CONSUMPTION AT CURRENT US135 PER BARREL. SO NO MONEY LAH !!! HOW TO SUBSIDIZE?
June 5th, 2008 at 22: 04.02
Bottom line is we don’t have good quality leaders to manage the country’s natural resources. Petronas may run short of funds to subsidize the fuel for the rakyat. What if petronas has several long term sales contracts to sell crude oil at USD60, 70 or even 90 per barrel thinking it was the good price then. Now that the price is above USD130 making billions of ringgit loss of rakyat’s money. This maybe one of the possible scenario that the government made the huge increased in fuel to cover the lost in petronas revenue.
Malaysia has many capable people to manage big organization but the government choose not to hire them because of politic and color. What the waste of our human capital.
June 5th, 2008 at 22: 09.01
Will all the bosses of companies seriously think of their staffs with fixed income….now getting less than 40% of what their salaries were worth…….last month?
They will all be in great financial difficulties.
Talk as much a we want…..but bosses should adjust salaries and pay them more…to balance their monthly budget …..whether they like it or not.
Never on the history of Malaysia…have we get such a sharp change of our monthly budget..all shooked up…never stable …for even one month!
The low and middle income group…..all will suffer most.
People makes a company…don’t bosses ever forget that.
I have done my part…and God only know…..as there is no extra profits….to do that….but it must be done.
June 5th, 2008 at 22: 15.14
The stupid DAMN government asked us to change our lifestyle??? ASK THOSE DAMN MINISTERS TO CHANGE THEIR LIFESTYLES FIRST!!! Stupid Barisan Nasional!
June 5th, 2008 at 22: 15.25
TUN M. REFUTED PM’S CLAIM
—————————-
The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday:
“We cannot keep subsidising at the current rate…….”
Tun M. refuted the PM’s claim (tonight’s China Press, page A10). He said Petronas currently is making huge profits; coupled with the increased tax revenues derived from palm oil, rubber and tin (the prices of these commodities have gone up by 400%) Malaysia is able to afford the oil subsidies without hurting the country’s coffer.
Tun M’s judgment could not be far wrong as he had been the finance minister before. The PM’s contradicting statement, that the government could no longer subsidize petrol at the current rate, inevitably leads me to conclude that the money meant for petrol subsidies has already been spent for other purposes and the country’s coffer is now dry and petrol subsidies have to be scaled down.
June 5th, 2008 at 22: 21.05
To those who vote for umnobn……you ask for it and you got it.
June 5th, 2008 at 22: 44.57
Sad day in Malaysia.
Support Pakatan Rakyat even MORE!
June 5th, 2008 at 22: 50.44
http://limkamput-nincompoop.blogspot.com/2008/06/fuel-prices-and-national-budget.html
I found this website and would like to share with all of you.
June 5th, 2008 at 23: 04.54
I really don’t care if fuel price increase provided the government take the money and do something useful to us people. They keep compares our fuel price with others. What for? If really want to compares, look at how Singapore runs its country. Singapore has no crude oil, no land to plant pineapple, rubber trees, palm oil, rice, We have tin mines, sand , timber…yet not enough to feed our people? Where the money all goes?? How singapore do it really make me feel ashame
June 5th, 2008 at 23: 12.49
lets go demo ! if lock up under isa or jailed will be fed for free
June 5th, 2008 at 23: 37.21
I agree with the comments concerning pay rise. Pay rise is now an immediate social obligation because it is not just the oil that is on the increase. Even electricity. Don’t be surprised if all the daily important stuff will be increased. You will have to minus something in order to add something.
June 5th, 2008 at 23: 45.47
Look at all these money from govt. go
“Mudajaya secures RM958mil job from Bina Puri”
Young young already successful Malay company? And people are suffering the govt. keep giving contract worth billionth.
June 6th, 2008 at 01: 03.48
Preparing for the DOOMED DAYS
not us of coz but UMNO!
June 6th, 2008 at 01: 28.29
It’s another trick by BN to make Oppositions lost their votes and make them failure..
June 6th, 2008 at 01: 35.35
pak lah naikkan harga kerana dia tahu.. dia hanya ada masa 5 tahun or less before he will be kicked out… so masa ini lah dia sedut secara maksimum!!!!
KAMI ‘SAYANG’ PAK LAH SEHINGGA KAMI MENANGIS KESAYANGAN…!!!
June 6th, 2008 at 06: 15.11
Sarawakains should be one of the first to ask WHO STOLE AWAY OUR OIL? Should Sarawak try to researve our oil and use them when other countries are running out of supply? Federal government should stop tapping on our wealth
June 6th, 2008 at 07: 19.46
Everything that these clowns do is a result of an ulterior motive - create available funds for projects that go to their cronies and relatives. You think they care about the rakyat ? You think they do forward planning on alleviating the burden to the poor ?
They are in politics to steal, and if there is nothing left to steal, cut subsidies so that funds can be made available for their own ends.
“We are not in the business of cheating the people”. AAB, 2005
June 6th, 2008 at 08: 15.52
Pak Lah should explain why the petrol price (RM2.70) of Malaysia, which is an oil-exporting country, is higher than the petrol price (RM2.43) of China, which is an oil-importing country (refer to China Press, 2008-6-6, page A9).
If oil production in Malaysia is not profitable, the government should immediately close down Petronas and make Malaysia an oil-importing country and lower the price of petrol to RM2.43.
June 6th, 2008 at 08: 19.34
Subsidies are normally viewed as economically wasteful. They mess with prices, distort supply and demand, not only do not create resources but divert them from development projects that could create resources and value, and when redistributing wealth do so with considerable inefficiency. For example The Star on May 28, 2008 reported that about 8% of the 70 million litres of fuel subsidies given out to fishermen nationwide last year were sold off acording to Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM). Errant fishermen in Perlis, Kelantan, Kedah and northern Perak had sold the subsidised diesel to Thailand while those in Sabah sold to Indonesia because they made more money this way than catching fish!
The joke is when the Malaysian government now tries to be a good economist and withdraws petrol subsidies, it cannot use the economic principle of wastage to justify it because it has never shown itself to be a good economist, and is perceived with justification by its constitutents to (i) abuse the savings from subsidies in wasteful and unviable development projects from which political elites make ill gotten gains from public coffers (ii) appropriate national wealth and windfall from dividends and taxed from Petronas super bumber profits without transparency and accountability (iii) withdraw support from a class of people using petrtol/diesal who have already been taxed exorbitantly by road tax, excise and custom duties on imported cars and toll charges. It is hard to condemn subsidies per se when one one promotes and conmmits huge wastage in the biggest subsidy program – the NEP! Somemore the manner by which the petrol subsidy was withdrawn, not in small staggered way to provide room for market to adjust but a sudden comparatively hefty 40% & 60% rise causing immediate spill over effects in other areas (eg cost of electricity tariffs going up 20%), rise of transportation costs for goods, generating an all round cost push inflationary pressures. This done at the time when Malaysians are bracing for world wide rise in food prices, looming recession, uncertainties of equity and financial markets in the wake of subprime problem widening to likely credit bust.
When the government is still reeling from March 8th political tsunami and have yet to recover its balance, one wonders why the PM is in the haste to make this policy shift so soon and drastically biting the bullet of political fall out.
Govt’s Credibility is severely tested here : already people are complaining why before election they promised to defer the hike and now reneged; why the hike expected in August was brought a trife forward etc.
Demonstrations on prices by Joe Public from all segments across the board affected are not the same as that of Bersih’s or Hindraf’s representing certain interest groups. They cannot be put down so easily by police. Besides this unpopular move will open the pandora box for all other areas to be scrutinised and attacked – whether concessionaire agrements, the PKFZ RM 4.6 billion scandal etc.
So the question is what it is that we do not know regarding why the government chooses such timing for such drastic measure and take such a political risk. Was AB’s hand forced and he put in front line as canon fodder; are the government’s coffers/budget under tremendous strain, and if so from what other things unknown to us or what???
June 6th, 2008 at 08: 20.35
Comparison of the our petrol price with other oil-producing countries
UAE– RM1.19/litre
Eygpt– RM1.03/litre
Bahrain– RM0.87/litre
Qatar– RM0.68/litre
Kuwait– RM0.67/litre
Saudi Arabia– RM0.38/litre
Iran– RM0.35/litre
Nigeria– RM0.32/litre
Turkmenistan– RM0.25/litre
Venezuela– RM0.16/litre
MALAYSIA– RM2.70/litre and going RM4 come August!!!
Mr Finance Minister who was sacked from Econs Stream in UM, would you care to explain the above?
June 6th, 2008 at 08: 33.39
AAB has just been ranked as the champion scumbag of the century in Malaysia politics. Together with the number 2, number 3 and so on in UMNO and BN.
Other than a few third world countries, you could hardly hear that people involved in mega corruption cases,