Rising Cost
The recent fuel hike has cause much concern. Malaysia is an oil producing country and a net exporter of petroleum. Despite that, the price of fuel is high, if not highest, compared to other oil producing countries. The government is always reminding us that our petrol price is among the cheapest in Asia. The only problem is, they are comparing it to the non-oil producing countries.
The government says they can no longer foot the heavy subsidies enjoyed by the nation all these years due to the rising price of petrol in the international market. Yet, they have the money to build their mega projects, pay for a trip to space, waste public funds, etc. I can never understand what is the purpose of the Putrajaya project besides providing the government a huge and lavish (and grossly overpriced) office to work in. Need I mention the huge official residences of the prime minister and his deputy? Yet, they keep telling us to change our lifestyle. How about leading by example?
I do agree that we cannot live on subsidised fuel for the rest of our lives. But we have been living on subsidies for as long as I can remember you can’t just ripped it away all of a sudden. We need to be weaned off it. We need to adjust to the extra expenses. Of course, it doesn’t help when the price of everything else increase as a result of the fuel hike but our salaries remains status quo.
I was numbed when they announced the new fuel price. Then as realisation sinks in, I became angry. I casted a protest vote 2 months ago. I guess the March 8 wake up call wasn’t loud enough. We need a change. Not just in our lifestyle but also in the government.
Here’s something that I believe aptly describe the situation.
