S Pathmawathy | Jun 13, 11
Malaysiakini
MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek did not object to diesel subsidy cuts during the National Economic Council meeting when the matter was decided, revealed Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Minister Ismail Sabri.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, Ismail said that Chua should have raised his concerns during the meeting instead of letting his party leaders complain now through the media.
“How can he now turn back and say it’s not fair? The MCA statement is unfair to government,” he said.
He added that the MCA should be helping the government in tackling protests by C2-class fishing trawler operators because the party had a hand in making the decision in the first place.
Ismail was responding to MCA deputy publicity chief Loh Seng Kok’s statement that the government was “being tough” on operators.
Ismail denied the accusation and said that it were the operators who were threatening the government.
“I said we can talk but don’t threaten the government. Don’t say ‘I give you three days to settle or otherwise…’. Don’t hold a strike first then call for discussions.
“You should discuss first. When you resort to a strike that means these things can’t be solved. They strike first and are backed by some opposition leaders. Then they threaten the government. No way! You have to talk to them-lah,” he said.
MCA seeks compromise
In a statement earlier today, Loh warned that if both the government and the operators were not willng to come to a compromise, the situation would worsen.
“Ultimately, the price hikes will end up being passed onto the consumers which is not an ideal solution,” said Loh.
Loh said that during a meeting with MCA recently, the affected boat operators were willing to pay up to RM1.40 per litre of diesel instead of the old price of RM1.25 per litre.
“Or if the price is reverted to RM1.25 per liter, they are willing to give up the government incentive of 10 sen for every kilogramme caught,” said Loh, urging the government to reconsider the alternative proposal.
After meeting representatives of affected operators recently, Chua alleged that the government should instead go after operators who abuse diesel subsidies.
In what he terms as a ‘Ali Baba’ practice, he said that 50 percent of operators were taking advantage of RM1.25 price and renting out their boats to foreigners.
Fishermen and trawler boat operators strike
About 1,000 fishermen and trawler boat operators in Kuantan, Johor and Perlis have refused to go out to sea for three days, from June 11, to demand for the restoration of the RM1.25 per litre diesel price.
Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming told reporters earlier today that fish prices has gone up by 30 percent and this would be a problem because fish makes up 60 percent of Malaysian’s protein intake.
Commenting on the strike, Ismail said that he considered the situation a crisis as it would cause a shortage in seafood supplies, and the price of fish would go up.
When asked if importing fish and other related items would resolve the problem, he said it had to be done to stop prices increasing. “For how long we will do this, I don’t know,” he said
At the moment, Ismail said he was unaware of any price increase but said that fish imports from Thailand would compensate for any shortfall.
Asked if the government would retract the subsidy cut, Ismail reiterated that the operators are capable of absorbing the additional cost.
“We don’t see a reason why we should, Class C2 is an industry. The government actually should charge them the industrial rates as in the case of the inshore or coastal fishing industry.
“What’s the difference between the deep-sea fishing industry and the coastal fishing industry? The former involves a ship that costs RM1 million to RM2 million. These are big ships, they can afford it,” he said.
He added that it was unfair if the government revoked the diesel subsidy given to small scale fishermen and that the government had no intention to do that.
Ismail also said that claims of 1,000 operators being involved in the strike were exaggerated and he estimated that only 50 were involved.
#1 by yhsiew on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - 12:42 am
Big-Brother Umno wants diesel subsidy cut, what can little Soi Lek do?
Could it be that Soi Lek was looking for promotion within BN?
#2 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - 1:14 am
How can he now turn back and say it’s not fair? – Ismail Sabri
Why not? When did the NEAC meet and decide on diesel subsidy cuts? On May 9th wasn’t it? CSL didn’t know better then. Chaired by PM and 10 other senior UMNO Cabinet ministers and officials, CSL didn’t then know or feel brave enough to squeak a protest. But it was only later on June 8th that representatives from Kuching Fishing Trawlers Association and Sarawak Fishing Vessels Association and their Semenanjung counterparts met the MCA president to discuss the issue in greater depth and breath of their woes, and now that CS:L knows better you mean he is estopped and cannot change his earlier position – even if it were for rakyats interest? If a man made an earlier mistake, he can’t subsequently rectify it? Her got to stand my that mistake? Is that what Ismail Sabri imply???
#3 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - 1:17 am
First of all if the govt didn’t commit so much wastage the issue of cutting subsidy and other cost cutting measure (to avert Idris Jala’s spectre of bankruptcy) – that also jacks up fuel / transportation prices all round won’t immediately arise – let alone this dispute with the C2-class fishing trawler operators.
People already emigrating because of fear of diminution of wealth and bankruptcy scenarios. (Brain Drain) Now those who are staying often said Malaysian food is good, one of the good reasons to stay. But how long is this food goinmg to be good if C2-class fishing trawler operators transporters etc all protest and go on strike??? What the fish! We want our fish (and seafood) – at reasonable price as before. Otherwise I have to go to Aboriginal reserve to buy my fish.
#4 by donng55 on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - 1:45 am
// “Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, Ismail said that Chua should have raised his concerns during the meeting instead of letting his party leaders complain now through the media.
“How can he now turn back and say it’s not fair? The MCA statement is unfair to government,” he said. …//
Come on, Dato Seri Ismail Sabri. You cannot be serious in telling us that you as a member of Amno elite club having in bed with MCA for more than half a century, are not aware of MCA’s banana leaf-on-instinct character!!!
Surely you know that that’s how MCA sold the Chinese community down the river.
Now you understand why we dumped it.
#5 by k1980 on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - 7:26 am
//Chua should have raised his concerns during the meeting instead of letting his party leaders complain now through the media. “How can he now turn back and say it’s not fair? //
Well, you can now see for yourselves how CSL operates. He operates full-throttle on poor Angela Yam and when caught, he kicks his personal friend into the trash bin.
#6 by dagen on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - 8:38 am
Whaaaa, garang di depan rakyat tapi tikus di depan umno. Yg aneh, dia ni memang hero di depan perempuan, terutamanya perempuan bogel.
#7 by k1980 on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - 9:20 am
CSL’s hotel room romp has become a bad example to society. Should be sued in court for the rise in baby dumping. Jail and rotan for that stinking rat, a disgrace to the country.
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/74843-newborn-baby-girl-found-dumped-danau-kota
#8 by sheriff singh on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - 9:48 am
Consequently it would be best if all these leaders object and object all the time so that they cannot be blamed later for not voicing out any concerns they may have.
Would it make any difference to Najib if there were objections? Would he have held back the ‘subsidy rationalisation’ or would it still be shoved down everyone’s throats?
It would appear that what was presented by Najib was for approval only to be rubber stamped by the committee’s members.
Further, if subsequent to the meeting, new information that are pertinent became available, would these be considered at all? Would the committee members be able to voice their concerns?
Ismail Sabri is being overly mischievous, simplistic and naive. Was he fully aware of the impact and repercussions of the decision?
Najib said and is quoted again and again on radio that ‘the era of the government knows best is over’ and he would consult ‘with all stakeholders’.
Has he done so? Has the consumers and populace been ‘consulted’ or have they been ‘conned’ instead? Why are we having protests, resentments and boycotts?
Is this what ‘transformation’ is all about?
#9 by Bigjoe on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - 10:08 am
See, the difference between a real bad boy and one that just pretend at it like CSL does is you can’t wimp out when it really counts and worst, get caught doing it. The man said nothing..At least he could have voiced out that its going to be bad and what is the plan. Instead he was afraid he looked weaked to his colleagues.
BTW, I think its a little known fact that CSL is on the NEAC even though he is not in the Cabinet. Its pretty pathetic of CSL to say they will not take Cabinet jobs when he has hidden the fact he got himself an equivalent after turning down cabinet post.
CSL’s bad boy style is looking like a pathetic boy one instead.
#10 by Jong on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - 12:19 pm
There you are – MCA exposed!
#11 by dcasey on Tuesday, 14 June 2011 - 1:06 pm
“I said we can talk but don’t threaten the government. Don’t say ‘I give you three days to settle or otherwise…’. Don’t hold a strike first then call for discussions.
“You should discuss first. When you resort to a strike that means these things can’t be solved. They strike first and are backed by some opposition leaders. Then they threaten the government. No way! You have to talk to them-lah,” Ismail Sabri said.
Now this is a classic example of an arrogant UMNO minister making up a very arrogant govt. These are bread and butter issues so it beats me as to why must he linked things up with the opposition. I am sure he eats fish just the same as the opposition does unless he prefers to eat sh*t instead.