De facto Leader of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Anwar Ibrahim criticised the government for raising the petrol fuel price from RM1.92 to RM2.70 per litter on 4th June 2008. He urged Barisan Nasional lead by UMNO to step down as responsible for making the people suffer. He said if Pakatan Rakyat (Alliance formed by PKR, Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS)), they would reduce the petrol price immediately, or else he will resign (obviously from the position of Prime Minister, if he ever succeeded to become one). Ironically, he never mention how much he is going to reduce the price? RM2.00, RM1.00 or just 20 cent, as a token of appreciation for letting him and his gang to govern Malaysia?
I have recently invited by NS Chinese Assembly Hall for a political talk in Seremban, together with DAP Youth rising star YB Loke Siew Fook and newly elected state assemblyman, who is also my secondary schoolmate, YB Cheah Kee Chin. To my surprise, YB Loke had openly urging the government to take away fuel subsidy (2 weeks before fuel hike) and let the price float and use the money for more incentive to help the poor and needy. He added that fuel subsidy is only benefiting the rich with expensive car such as BMW and Mercedes. I totally agreed with him.
I think most people who are aware of the international trend in oil price would agree that the government, sooner or later, has to reduce the fuel subsidy. But sad to see when the government does reduce the subsidy, DAP, together with their new leader, PKR had strongly oppose and try to gain credit by organizing mass demonstration on July 12, 2008. YB Loke should have agreed with this policy but he has not stood on his ground.
I know it is tough and i suffer too, but let us be more understanding. The economy has been damaged by subsidy, our economy is unhealthy with subsidy, we all know that but we have been tampered by subsidy and addicted to it. We need to restructure our economy and make it healthier. How to use the money saved by reducing the subsidy is the focus, not how much has been reduced.
Do you think Pakatan Rakyat should have reduce the fuel price by increasing more subsidy? Of course it would make people happy, but in the end the whole economy will be jeopardize. Please do not try to make more sugar coded promises which you know best is harmful to the economy, Mr Anwar Ibrahim.
1 comments:
It's tough to be government these days. It's not rosy anymore and we are not alone. I truly doubt the PR can do any better. I'm 100% against subs but what are the action plans to help the poor? The recently announced "goodies"; well...is not good enough. What about the poor who can't afford cars/bikes? Some action by the government seems to be off the cuff. Act and wait for reaction.
There should be a master plan to combat the effects of rising fuel cost. What about alternatives? Wind power, solar even nuke. Give tax breaks for car owner to install NGV tanks. Let all players instead of just Petronas to have LPG at its pumps. Encourage the rakyat to use public transport but 1st, that must improve by leaps and bounds first before the public even consider it.
Abolish toll, road tax so transportation cost can go down. I think we the rakyat deserves it.
Post a Comment