(Speech at the DAP Public Ceramah/Consultation held at Dewan Sri Mentaloon, Residen Rasmi Menteri Besar Kedah on Wednesday, 11th June 2008)
The Abdullah government would have fallen because of the 41% to 63% unconscionable and brutal oil price hikes if he is in South Korea, which saw the new South Korean President’s popularity plunging in less than four months from a presidential victory with the biggest margin in the nation’s history to a support rate of under 20 per cent and his entire Cabinet offering to resign – after a month of mammoth demonstrations against the planned resumption of US beef imports.
Malaysians are still puzzled as to the reckless and sudden manner in which the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the unconscionably brutal petrol and diesel price hikes, after a Cabinet Minister had given the assurance that no oil price increases were on the cards until August.
The failure to announce a holistic package of mitigation measures to cushion the most vulnerable sectors from the sharp impact of the drastic oil price increases until five days later strengthened the impression that the decision was driven more by political than economic considerations.
Was the euphoria from his Sabah visit four days earlier believing that his slew of goodies had “fixed” up the Sabah problem and stabilized his government which had been fighting speculation that large numbers of Sabah MPs were seriously contemplating abandoning the National Front ship the cause for his recklessness in suddenly deciding to announce the drastic and brutal oil price increases on 4th June?
Abdullah’s euphoria proved to be short-lived, for he had to rush to Sarawak to placate the Sarawak political leaders from Barisan Nasional, who felt doubly aggrieved from being left out of the largesses given out to Sabah as well as the adverse effects of the new oil price hikes.
As a result, even the RM2 billion austerity measures announced by the government appeared to be panicky reactions to the widespread and deepseated public anger and outrage at the oil price hikes which seemed to have taken the Prime Minister and his advisers by surprise.
The Minister or adviser who proposed a 10 per cent cut of entertainment allowances of Ministers and Deputy Ministers, for instance, should be sacked, for it had fuelled greater anger and outrage for two reasons – the paltry sum of 10 per cent cut for entertainment allowances and the revelation for the first time that Ministers and Deputy Ministers enjoy such entertainment allowances which even MPs, let alone the ordinary public, are not aware of!
All in all, the impression created is a most unprofessional and ham-fisted handling of the oil price increase crisis – which is aggravated by a lack of compassion and care for the vulnerable sectors of the society, as seen not only by the quantum of the drastic oil price hikes but also by the continuing government mindset which takes waste, extravagance, lack of accountability such as the Petronas billions and financial scandals like RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) bailout scandal as an acceptable part of the Abdullah administration.
Unless the Cabinet is prepared to sincerely and actively win over the support and co-operation of the Malaysian people in the fight against inflation, by involving them and their representatives in the anti-inflationary strategy and to eradicate waste, extravagance, corruption, financial scandals and establish high benchmarks of accountability and transparency which also affect Petronas, the government has only itself to blame if it is seen as completely irrelevant to the needs, sufferings and hopes of Malaysians in their daily lives.
#1 by Jamesy on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 4:49 pm
“The Abdullah government would have fallen because of the 41% to 63% unconscionable and brutal oil price hikes if he is in South Korea, which saw the new South Korean President’s popularity plunging in less than four months from a presidential victory with the biggest margin in the nation’s history to a support rate of under 20 per cent and his entire Cabinet offering to resign – after a month of mammoth demonstrations against the planned resumption of US beef imports.”
————————————————————–
He is standing at the edge of a cliff………….
#2 by k1980 on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 4:50 pm
Not only would he had fallen, but like Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, he and the mamak would had been put on trial for treason
#3 by oknyua on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 4:56 pm
YB Lim, if abdullah had, from day one, shown himself to be concious of the cost he incurred, protected the reserves the nation has, spend wisely and with accountibility, I would go along his austerity declaration.
Even then, had he made announcements in this progressions:
1. Cut salaries of Ministers first
2. Review all corridors
3. Cancel all paid overseas holidays of ministers,
4. Reduce his own salary by half and allowances cancelled,
Yes, I would have agreed with him.
But he created damages first and then try to mitigate these damages, when I think, the damages had been greater than the savings he proposed to have. And that, to me, should not come out from the Prime Minister of any country, Korea or Malaysia.
#4 by stnaaron on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 5:16 pm
To YB Lim.
Please help us!!!! many were forces to tighten thier belt to saves on daily food product for thier loves one which including their children many and of my relative,frens from all walks of life are trying to adapts into our country uncertainty in economic.
I did notice that many people are interested to purchased and to get thier car installed with NGV tank and accessories just to saves a little bit on thier miles per gallon .
But most of them are dissapointed cos nowadays the installation of the tank cost as much as RM4400 where for a full tank the mileage does not travel far ( recommended 180km to 200km / tank ) and the user need to que themself together with taxis which at least waited for 30 min to 45 min per filling, many people are worry cos the tank might turn into a time bomb due to atmosphere heat,accident from the back of the vehicles which lead to explosion
Try to bring this up in the parliament that many poor people are unable to purchased the tank due to it cost especially poor and middle class earner.
Please do something!!!! ….. some of the greedy businessman are finding way to steal from the poor again for the tank installation
NGV tank should be affordable to many poor if the price sitting in between RM 1800 to RM 2200.
#5 by max2811 on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 5:19 pm
One UMNO idiot who knows nothing recommended a 10% pay cut for Gov servants is equally as stupid. Most Gov servants’ pay are below RM2000. Only those who has been working for more than 20 years get more than RM3000 depending on category of job.
This UMNO Gov has to go. TDM must be tried for corruption and a host of other crimes against Msians. Abdullah inherited all these from him. I don’t blame him. Just that he came from a party who has no intelligent ppl. Thus, all the mistakes.
If the cards are right, we can pull thru this mess. But there are just too many MPs who are corrupt and incapable on the BN side. How much needs to be given for them to jump ship? I do not agree to accept such ppl but I fully support a snap election.
#6 by a-malaysian on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 5:30 pm
The true fact is that the pm is not situable or qualified to be the finance minister. He is receiving the rojak type of informations and advises from his half past six ministers who do not care about the rakyat but themselves.
Blood Suckers
GE 13 – No matter what, we must ensure that racist umno bn do not regain the power like they had for the past fifty years.
#7 by foloso on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 5:45 pm
10% cut in their entertainment allowance is RM2 billion. In the other words, they still can enjoy RM 18 billion entertainment allowance!! Good revelation from honest PM.
#8 by bennylohstocks on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 6:00 pm
Why put everyone in a tight spot…
PRICE REDUCTION-IT’S EASY
#9 by NG on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 6:03 pm
believe me, the numbers of people who will protest in july 12 will give him a big surprise,may hit him harder then previous tsunami.
#10 by bennylohstocks on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 6:03 pm
Okay, happy?…
RED CARPET TREATMENT
#11 by i_love_malaysia on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 6:05 pm
Entertainment allowances should be as per claims and should not be packaged in as part of salary which camouflage as allowances to deceive the Rakyat that they are getting low salaries as compared to other countries. The allowances wont be saved as claimed by AAB if they dont claim in the first place. I wonder how these entertainment allowances could be built into their salaries without claims unless they already know that they are going to entertain so many people that they will use up so much money every month!!!
#12 by Godfather on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 6:08 pm
You seriously think he will give up the opportunity to fly in the new Airbus A320 ? How will he get to Perth if he resigns ? AirAsia X ?
#13 by wag-the-dog on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 6:17 pm
Peak Oil
“ All the easy oil and gas in the world has pretty much been found. Now comes the harder work in finding and producing oil from more challenging environments and work areas. ”
— William J. Cummings, major oil-company spokesman, December 2005
“ World reserves are confused and in fact inflated. Many of the so called reserves are in fact resources. They’re not delineated, they’re not accessible, they’re not available for production ”
— Sadad I. Al Husseini, former VP of Aramco, October 2007.
Visit http://www.wagthedog-malaysia.blogspot.com for details.
#14 by andsin on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 6:29 pm
Let us recall what does the BN manifesto said during the last election (12th).
And now, what does our PM done? Is he taking a revenge on the Rakyat just becuase we did not vote for BN.
Since you made me (PM) lose face and now I let you suffer?
Let us all forget about the issue asking or begging our PM to reduce the price hike. It waste our time.
MIGHT WELL COMBINE OUR STRENGHT TO ASK HIM STEP DOWN.
We don’t need a HERO in Malaysia right now, we only need a SAVIOUR. Are you DAP, PKR, PAS and others…….. the one?
#15 by sheriff singh on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 6:36 pm
Sell Putrajaya to the Arabs and raise RM 70 billion. Distribute it to every citizen.
Poverty problem solved.
#16 by Bobster on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 6:37 pm
No sound minded Malaysians will ever understand Abdullah’s plan if any for the country.
Before 12th GE, he was happily declaring corridors after corridors that cost the country hundreds of billions of ringgit. Seriously nobody can figure out where is he going to get the money from, like signing a blank cheque. Watching cronies surrounding him during the launching of the ‘soon-to-be-white elephant’ projects really made one sick and fuming. How can these mega projects given out without tender in the first place?
Now after election he suddenly threw an economic bomb that caught everyone by surprise. Why at this time when the US is at the fringe of recession and the world is suffering from inflation due to food and fuel crisis he made such quick announcement? Is he trying to cause more slums to the country economy? Why can’t he hike the fuel price in stages so that the rakyat and business community can adjust and adapt to the increase? Overall we are still net exporter for the coming 5 yrs. Petronas will surely benefit from the increase in global fuel price. What’s the hurry if the government officials at this stage can still afford to spend RM20 BILLIONS solely for ENTERTAINMENT purposes?
Seriously Mr PM really make him looks like Mr I-Don’t-Know-What-D-Hell-Am-I-Doing-Here in the eyes of rakyat Malaysia!
#17 by Bobster on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 7:08 pm
Given a choice most people will prefer not to drive but rely on cheap and efficient public transport if any. Do we have a choice in the first place? The government never THINK for the majority of working class people who contribute personal income tax and hardwork to built this nation. How to be productive to the nation if we spend 4 hours daily taking the public transport?!
What this shameful BN cares is only of their own individual pocket! Period!
Good article taken from Msiakini:-
Drastic cut in oil subsidies a mistake
Yen Yen | Jun 11, 08 4:32pm
The latest cut in oil subsidies receives strong objection from the majority of the society. The same old question re-emerged to the surface: should the subsidies be reduced/removed? Given the fact the oil subsidies are unsustainable as Malaysia would turn into a net oil importer in the near future when our oil reserves run out, and the negative impact of over-consumption of oil to the environment, the subsidies should be removed eventually in order to correct market distortions which would lead to efficient use of resources.
Unfortunately, the argument is not convincing enough for Malaysians to agree with the removal of oil subsidies. We are not prepared to live in an economy with high fuel price. Not because that Malaysians have been long spoiled by subsidies but the absence of a well-planned and comprehensive public transportation system has forced Malaysians to rely on private vehicles for their daily activities.
This means the high oil price is going to cost a bomb to the Malaysians who rely on private vehicle for everyday commuting. Furthermore, as the production activities of our economy rely much on subsidised oil to keep our production cost competitive, a reduced or removal of oil subsidies would lead to inflation and less competitiveness for Malaysian exports.
This might be followed by sluggish domestic demand, unemployment and eventually economic recession. The consequences are going to be disastrous. Subsidies that aim at keeping prices low are not necessary bad policies and that they should not be introduced. Subsidies that are used properly can be very beneficial to economic development.
Good examples would be the agricultural and export subsidies introduced in the US, Europe and South Korea. If used effectively, subsidies can help to promote industrialisation and to maintain a stable living cost for the working population.
Judging from the current situation in Malaysia, a drastic reduction or removal of oil subsidies without good countermeasures against the possible negative impacts is itself a mistake. This is like stripping the dancers when they are not ready for a strip show.
Reducing the oil subsidies when there is no proper public transport as an alternative for drivers, no countermeasures for inflation and the possible rise in unemployment would only bring suffering to the people. The worst is that it might trigger a recession.
South Korea, being a non-oil producing country, cannot but let the petrol price fluctuate according to the world market price. And yet the government is able to freeze the price of public transport and utilities as part of the measures to counter inflation caused by the escalating oil price.
As an oil producing country which has been making billions of profits from oil, I believe we could do more than just freeze the price of public transport. As others have said, we should have built an efficient, accessible and comprehensive public transportation system with the oil money earned by Petronas. We should have spent the oil money in more productive ways.
There is also a call for building a ‘national social welfare programme’ in response to the drastic cut in oil subsidies. But the content of the welfare programme is not clear. It looks like a cash aid to the people.
If this is the case, the money might not be used in a productive way and the programme may not be sustainable in the long-run when we run out of oil.
P/S: Bare in mind that few days before the announcement of fuel hike the great Najib stated subsides for public transport companies will be scrapped. Does it mean Rapid, KTM, Monorail going to increase their price soon?
#18 by robert wong on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 7:18 pm
Cut unnecessary spending , my foot!!! Internal Minister Said Albar and “minister of Kampong” mohd son of mohd are both enjoying flying with private jet and red carpet treament in Sabah now . Said Albar gave warning to those intended to jump-ship beware of being arrested by ISA, whereas Mike Tyson is as usual carrying bag loads of cash begging jump-shippers to stay. The 10% cut for the ministers is peanut compare with cost of billions of projects which these ministers are having.
#19 by yhsiew on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 7:18 pm
As long as we have Proton cars in this country, we will not be able to have an efficient public transport system.
If the government were to upgrade the current public transport system to the level found in advanced countries (where some 70% of the population travel by bus or train), Proton will have to wind up. I am not surprised that the government, presumably wanted to protect Proton, was reluctant to do anything to improve public transport when petrol price was increased to RM1.92.
Since Proton is not making profit, our MPs and politicians can consider getting rid of this “stumbling block” and concentrate on building a first class public transport system in the country for the benefit of the people.
#20 by chiakchua on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 7:19 pm
Most of our Malaysian ministers are only Chief Clerk of the ministry at best! If we go by meritocracy of the ability to make the right things happen, they would have no chance for their job! Some stupid minister proposed to allow government servants to take up part time job. He must be damn moronic; all companies would rush to get officers from revenue collection agencies such as custom, income tax department, municipal councils, etc.. to be their part timers to their advantage!
#21 by Malaysian on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 7:37 pm
Legalised corruption!!
#22 by Xiao He on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 7:52 pm
Dear Mr Lim,
It was quite a surprise for me yesterday when the turnout at the dewan sri mentaloon in alor star was about 600-700 people or even more.. This is certainly unthinkable in the past.. Now, more and more people seem to be showing keen interest in issues concerning politics and the society.. Many audiences there also said that this is their first time attending a political ceramah (besides during election campainging), and also their first time meeting face-to-face with DAP central leaders.. Keep it up!!
#23 by boh-liao on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 7:58 pm
One of MM’s pet projects is the national car project. In order to ensure the success and sale of Proton cars within Malaysia, MM ensured that the public transport system remains inefficient and imported cars are heavily taxed.
People have to buy Proton and Perodua cars to move around. MM moved the government departments to a god-forsaken place called Putrajaya and built tolled highways to Putrajaya; again poor public transport system for people to use to get to and get around Putrajaya – again forcing people to use cars and pay toll to get to Putrajaya, even for a simple task.
Everything is built in by our BN government to ensure that the rakyat spend, spend, spend.
‘Oil Price Hike’ – ‘A Project of the BN Government’ proudly declares a huge signboard by the side of our highway!
#24 by boh-liao on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 8:09 pm
It’s time to reacquaint ourselves with the Election Manifestos and Promises of the BN during the last GE, especially those who voted for the BN.
Are we in the promised land yet, with all the goodies?
#25 by dawsheng on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 8:09 pm
Malaysians got no balls.
#26 by ktteokt on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 8:18 pm
Now you know why AAB is the MULTI PURPOSE MINISTER holding three portfolios? He wants to be PM so that he can have the last say (or the first), he wants to be the Finance Minister so that he can control the RM, RM & RM, and he wants to be the Home Minister so that he can get his hands on those who go against him! All these were premeditated!!!!
#27 by lew1328 on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 8:23 pm
stnaaron Says:
Today at 17: 16.43 (2 hours ago)
“I did notice that many people are interested to purchased and to get thier car installed with NGV tank and accessories just to saves a little bit on thier miles per gallon ”
I think better you guys not to rush and jump into this to install the NGV so early before you study the maintenance procedures such as regularly cleaning the ‘nozzle’ which is the hidden cost.. etc…
I strongly advise you book & take the NGV city cap for a long distance ride and they will tells you a complete story when you’ve feels the ‘jerking’ experiences.
#28 by flyer168 on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 8:30 pm
Dear YB LKS,
That is what we call BN UMNO’s “Hangat2 tahi ayam or Hot2 chicken shit”…alot of hot air & Rhetorics…PM says one thing, his DPM says another then his cabinet minister says something else….yes, Talk is Cheap even with our PM, when he cannot even put his MONEY (or OUR RAYAAT’S MONEY???) where his mouth is ! Sheesh !
Yes, what is PM doing about the Lingam’s RCI which he agreed to, after wasting our taxpayer’s money on the issue & telling us lies & MORE LIES !
The former PM had said that he prefers to be “Charged & he will give the EVIDENCE in court” (Master Strategist – Berani buat, Berani tanggong & Berani memberi bukti) which is a fair statement.
The present UMNO putras (wanting to be situational HEROs in UMNO ??) want to take “Potshots” at former PM (the Master Strategist), not checking their facts, not realising that their present leaders (yes-men BUFOONS), at that point in time, agreed to, were implicated, etc. (including Pak Lah) have now “CHICKENED-OUT & RETREATED”.
Even Datuk Bandar & DBKL is continuing the “Onslaught” to the “Downtrodden Rayaat” now, to add to our woes….
Hello, what’s new in this Bolehland Titanic which is slowly but surely SINKING !
So PR & the peoples’ power will have to evaluate the most cost-effective counter measures to help the downtrodden rayaat to rise up above this “unending situation”.
How about doing the NYKE ? LET’S DO IT !!!!!
#29 by cheng on soo on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 8:57 pm
Even if Msia built 1st class public transport (LRT etc) facilities, another question is can Msia always maintain this in good order, given the mentality that the operation & maintenance must be by certain races only??? I doubt !
#30 by One4All4One on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 9:08 pm
One should look up to the heavens and pray that the Almighty God help us Malaysians to tide over this very difficult period of our live and that our country and our children be protected from harm and difficulties.
And let our prayers be honest and true…
Let us not forget our religious practices and duties. We need God more than anythng now; let us pray for divine intervention and that our prayers for all humanity would help our leaders do whatever is right and beneficial for country and people.
May truth prevail.
#31 by Damocles on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 9:15 pm
For the better part of the last quarter century we’ve been heading towards doom under the BN.
The greatest problem is that many, if not most, Malaysians don’t seem to realise that.
The writting has been on the wall for a very long time!
They rely too heavily, far too heavily, on the bull-shit spewed out by the BN. So much so that they don’t even bother to know more about the real person behind all the bull-shitting.
In a nutshell, what we are seeing today is the culmination of years of blind faith in the BN!
That’s what it all boils down to.
#32 by One4All4One on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 9:22 pm
Where are all our bright and super-intellligent brains?
Thought our country is also blessed with highly intelligent academia and leaders of industries, students?
Can’t they contribute by way of coming up with proposals, ideas,suggestions, plans , and what not, to help the country and the people?
They should write and publish their contributions in the media, mainstrean and/or digital….so that fellow malaysians can take learned appproaches in their daily lives.
Well…where are you guys/gals, men/ladies??….take up the challenge. If you are good , why not share now when many are searching for directions and advice.
The nation is only as good as you are. If you don’t do anything, there won’t be much hope for malaysia/malaysians.
Get together, form a grouping…and make known your ideas and suggestions for the improvement and betterment of all.
#33 by fido on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 9:26 pm
ALL ministers and dpm’s entertainment SHOULD have been COMPLETELY scrapped. Not just cutting 10%.
Only in bodohland that this can ever happen where ministers and dpm’s get free personal holiday trips. It’s high time that the govt’s finances be made transparent to the public. If this cannot be made public, then the public is not required to pay income tax.
#34 by One4All4One on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 9:41 pm
Blind politics.
Blind society.
Blind people.
Blind institutions.
Blind leaders.
Henceforth:
Blinded by coloured policies and beliefs.
Blinded by corruption and power-abuse.
Blinded by misguided institutions and powers-that-be.
Blinded by religious bigots.
Blinded by opportunists.
Blinded by greed.
Blinded by misinformation.
Blinded by pride.
Blinded by arrogance.
Blinded by colour and creed.
Blinded by fast cars.
Blinded by castles and bungalows.
Blinded by flashy clothings.
Blinded by paper chase.
Blinded by what-not.
When will we ever learn.
When will we ever learn.
#35 by bernadette on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 9:42 pm
“He is standing at the edge of a cliff………….” Jamesy
is that all you got to say?? never mind that malaysians are being made to suffer from the price increase? that’s stupid!
#36 by One4All4One on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 10:08 pm
Change. And only change can change things.
Why must government staff, especially the so-called officers and leaders be given so much benefits???
In the private sector, workers are expected to give 100% so that their companies can grow and progress. And they earn and enloy whatever benefits that the company could afford.
In the public sector, the workers do only the minimal. Their pay mostly contributed by tax-payers in the private sectors. And they are given all sorts of benefits and perks which are derived from tax monies. What a disproportionate situation. The contributors do not get to enjoy what the recipients got. What a contradiction!!
The government which is elected by the people, the tax-payers sholud be made to see this and make changes accordingly.
Only by changing the wronged policies can things be set right.
A great political will is needed.
Why should ministers, deputies, or whoever they are up their in government depts be given free holiday? Why should the tax-payers bear their holiday costs? What have they done to deserve all that? Workers in the private sector work even harder and are much more productive. And they have to fork out their own money to enjoy even just a trip back to their ‘kampung’.
Government workers are known to abuse their position. From 5-star office buildings they dictate what the public should do or not to do. They use government ( the people’s / tax-payers’) vehicles to enjoy themselves. They work half-time, relax half-time. They also expect the people who pay their wages to kow-tow to them.
They expect the government ( the people’s elexted representive) to give them free-this and free-that, freebies not known by people like you and me.
After their retirement, they continue to enjoy some sort of freebies; as if after working in the government they have a license to get this and that.
The government who represent us and who are elected by us should STOP giving out freebies anymore. AT ONCE, in fact. Does their term of office and work contain clauses which grant them freebies? To us all who are outside of the establishment, all these constitute abuse and wastage, corruption and mismanagement.
They do not have the right to use public funds for their personal use. There must be accountability and transparency. There must be a stop to all form of abuse disguised as service to the public.
TO WORK IN THE PUBLICE SECTOR IS NOT A LICENCE TO FREE RIDES.
THE RAKYAT ARE THE PAYORS, THE YHAVE TO BE TOLD ALL THE TIME, AND BE AWARE OF THAT.
It is time for CHANGE!!!
#37 by One4All4One on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 10:10 pm
Correction:
In the private sector, workers are expected to give 100% so that their companies can grow and progress. And they earn and enjoy whatever benefits that the company could afford.
#38 by Godson on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 10:32 pm
Hellooooo…saya umNO-BN supporter. I want to live, suffer and die for umNO-BN. You all sleepy head up there can do that but i dont think i can do that anymore. Its too much for ordinary folks like us. If you ( Mr. Party Man ) continue to do this to us…..i’m afraid i have to jump ship…if not, me and my anak will be suck dry by you.
We have suffered quietly long enough and you ( Mr. Party Man ) just dont care….but you all talking, talking, talking rubbish everyday.
I’ve decided to follow PR for my children’s future because i care about them not like you Mr. Party Man.
Bye bye umNO-BN. May you all rest in peace with your sinking and stinking ship. :(
I live, suffer and die for umNO-BN. Tak boleh lagi boss, i surrender. Saya mau makan. You selalu korek. Sorry boss, i tak boleh tahan lagi. SORRY BOSS umNO-BN. 50 years i finally give up umNO-BN.
Enough is Enough.
#39 by A MALAYSIAN on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 10:46 pm
All this price hike is for show only as someone somewhere is using our petrol money as a wager for war think about dolah visit to us long time ago it was only tip of iceberg or in malay abc
#40 by A MALAYSIAN on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 10:55 pm
sir my boss dont pay for my fare to work or back why must we the rakyat must pay outrider,car,petrol and other things for ministers, deputies as gomen told the rakyat ubah cara hidup we the rakyat want the ministers and deputies to ubah cara hidup if cant letak jawatan.(ingat lagu Shila Majid ” sama sama”)
#41 by limkamput on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 11:14 pm
Finance Minister II, as reported in Malaysian Insider, is now talking about Malaysia’s sovereign ratings, austerity, frugality and welfare of future generations. Why didn’t he look at all these a few years back when the financial position of the government was much stronger? No he didn’t. Instead, the government continued to indulge in extravagance and spending spree. It is time to force them to account for the wastage and the astronomical growth in operating expenditure (yes, I am interested only in operating expenditure, so please don’t keep bullsh!ting us with development expenditure which is only RM40 billion).
Subsidies payment is one of the items under operating expenditure. But the unsustainability of Malaysia’s budget is not solely due to subsidies. I dare say this as a fact. We can all debate about this if the government and Petronas are willing to open their books for public scrutiny. For ten consecutive years the government incurred fiscal deficit amounting to about RM20 billion a year when we could have been more prudent and frugal. Instead we spent like no tomorrow. I must say it is pay back time for the federal government’s irresponsibility in financial management.
So please, there is no need for the government to teach us how to manage our income or how to handle the present difficult situation. There is nothing the government could advise because they are just a group fellows with no money sense who live a life style that is totally financed by the Treasury, including cars and free flow of petrol. Just tell us in details where the bulk of the money under operating expenditure goes. There is an item listed as “lain-lain” or “others” amounting to more than RM10 billion every year since 2006, may we know what is this for? This is not a small sum because total subsidies prior to 2007 was also about RM10 billion. Please also explain to us all the transfers, grants and the excessive growth in “supplies and services”. If you can explain to us convincingly all these, we will let you increase the price of petrol, how about it? By the way, we know a bulk of the operating expenditure also consists of salary and pension for civil servants. So there is no need for you to harp on that.
#42 by 7even Sins on Thursday, 12 June 2008 - 11:47 pm
The different between Korean, Indian, Mexican than Malaysian is that we are mostly domesticated by Gomen. Malaysians just have no spark, no guts and unpatriotic. The fuel price increase in India of +17% already caused a massive riot but Malaysia +40% still have not reach that kind of impact yet. Practically, Boh-Sia.
Thanks to the “Divide & Conquer” strategy and apparently still work since liberation. The more not united the people is, the more easy things can be manipulated, simply because the gomen think…u (we) guys have no balls….!!!
#43 by undergrad2 on Friday, 13 June 2008 - 12:40 am
I agree with the learned limkamput that our leaders have been spending taxpayers’ money like a drunken sailor – with one caveat i.e. the sailors are not really drunk.
#44 by undergrad2 on Friday, 13 June 2008 - 12:53 am
It has been decades since I last had the opportunity to look at our national budget. One explanation, if I may offer one, as to why our Operating Expenditure (a decent figure would be 2% of the national budget) is too high is that our civil service is bloated i.e. too big and that is because the government is the single largest employer.
The government should seek the advice of consultants like limkamput as to how to re-structure, streamline and rationalize and save resouces and improve productivity.
#45 by undergrad2 on Friday, 13 June 2008 - 1:01 am
“There is an item listed as “lain-lain” or “others” amounting to more than RM10 billion …” limkamput
That’s too huge a figure to be under “others”.
Similarly, if under “contingencies” a huge figure is reported, then we need to ask why and what the “contingencies” really are. Foreign bankers especially zero in on such items and no amount of window dressing is really going to help.
#46 by taxpayer on Friday, 13 June 2008 - 1:02 am
AAB is the worst pm since 1957. If he had just increase the fuel prices by 10%, nobody would have objected, no need to give rebates, no need to pay govt. servants’ salary twice a month, no need to etc, etc. By your rash action in reducing the fuel subsidies by such a huge percentage, your cannot blame the people for being suspicious of your hidden motives.
#47 by limkamput on Friday, 13 June 2008 - 1:05 am
bernadette Says:
“He is standing at the edge of a cliff………….” Jamesy
is that all you got to say?? never mind that malaysians are being made to suffer from the price increase? that’s stupid!
this bernadette is really a pain in the back. What is he trying to do here other than insulting others. shut up will you.
#48 by limkamput on Friday, 13 June 2008 - 1:18 am
undergrad2, I don’t understand what you mean by “a decent figure would be 2% of the national budget”. Please note that in 2007, the operating exp is RM128 billion while development exp was only 40 billion.
Yes, to some extent our Operating exp is large because our civil service is bloated. But my view is sometimes it is better to employ them (due to social and NEP reasons) and at the same time ask some of them to stay at home. That will be cheaper and also our civil service will be more efficient with less red tape. I am not talking cock here, I am serious. If the government gives me the opportunity, this is what I will advise them. Ask about 30 to 40 % of the civil servants to stay at home. Trust me; the govt finance will improve by leap and bound without jeopardising the performance of the govt service. Of course teachers, nurses and doctors are excluded. You see, recently the govt extended the retirement age of govt servants. You know what; teachers, nurses and doctors will most likely not going to accept the extension. Only the useless ones (those doing nothing other than creating red tape and disservice) will accept the extension.
#49 by limkamput on Friday, 13 June 2008 - 1:30 am
soory, should be … by leaps and bounds
#50 by nus on Friday, 13 June 2008 - 1:40 am
XIII ASEAN ****
XOIC ****
etc,etc
The above are number plates of cars running around Kuala Lumpur roads.
These cars range from Wiras to BMW’s.
These are sold at big discounts to government officials after every major international conference in Malaysia.
Why do we have to sell these cars when every year there is a big official conference in KL? And then buy some more new fleet of cars just to ferry dignatories to and from KLIA, plush hotels and conference venues? Do need to show off to these visitors that every conference requires a new cars?
What is the total cost of providing these new cars every time?
With the need to save money we hope the government would not sell off such vehicles from the next conference and reuse them. IT IS A MATTER OF CHANGING THE NUMBER which the JPJ could assist in the name of national interest.
Also those who purchased these vehicles should re-register the number plates according to their home address. The number plates are confusing. It also may be misleading if say, one drives a XII ASEAN **** car during the XIII ASEAN conference.