Lately every blogger is taking pot shot at our Malaysian government, mainly on the price hike in fuel and energy.
Do they know what is happening? The Malaysians are angry. We had been given ever changing figures that the government is doing its best to contain the inflation. Their inflation rate was 2% before and lately with the 40% hike in fuel, they said the inflation can only be felt at 4.5%.
We all knew how much we had to pay, to survive before and it cost more than 2% in inflation. It is not going to be 4.5% with this 40% hike in fuel.
At one time, they said the subsidy in fuel was at 45 billion and in a matter of days another leader said it was 75 billion. These people in government just hide behind their veil of secrecies. There is little wonder why every Ahmad, Arumugam and Ah Chong try to guesstimate if the government is taking us for a ride, at a time like this, to pile on the confusion and make more money for their cronies. As the saying goes, there is no opportunity without disaster.
When the price hike was announced, it said it would save the government 17 billion in subsidy and towards the end of the week it had gone up to 28 billion.
It seems even the people in government is having a guess. For all you know, even at USD150 per barrel of crude, no subsidy is needed at the old pump price. Apparently nobody knows exactly how much Petronas is making except the PM and a privileged few in the company. The government kept on saying it is inevitable not to raise the pump price because of the price of crude now.
It is so difficult to give us a breakdown and exactly how much it cost for the refined product. This lack of transparency and to certain extends in honesty, will keep the public guessing.
This is not the first time that the government wants to hide information from the public. There must be something sinister that cannot see the light of day, as had happen before.
When the government increased the price of fuel and electricity, they never consulted the public but rely on their bunch of half witted cronies.
When the serving public were to increase the prices, they stamped their feet and forbid them to do the same.
The reason being, these essential goods suppliers are still enjoying the subsidy and have no reason to do likewise.
What is not considered, there will be a general rise in the cost of living and these people may not be able to carry on with their trade any longer. Particular reference is taken to the public transport providers.
Everybody seems to agree that fuel hike is inevitable.
The price of crude is much higher than before, the difference has to come from somewhere.
The government think their present method is the best.
What we have now is uncertainty to every level of goods & services, and everyone at the moment is either trying to take advantage of it or to plainly survive.
No one knows the fair price level for every individual goods & services.
At a time like this, the government will create a bigger mess if they still allow monopoly in our economic system.
Like in the transportation sector, free competition should be allowed and the price will find its level very quickly, likewise for any other sectors where there is exclusive monopoly but again this may destroy the government effort to protect the underprivileged group.
Today, the government is again talking about giving further subsidy to certain group of services.
The government is working overtime with sacrifices and announcement will be made next week.
The more they are trying to repair the damage they had started the more loopholes they are going to create for unscrupulous people to take advantage.
Now it is onus to the government as how to stop it. As usual, we will go on a merry go round and back to square one and no one is any wiser.
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