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18.5% Petrol Price Increase

Published Thursday, March 02, 2006 by SaiRay | E-mail this post

Everybody is talking about the petrol price hike. Uncle, aunties, taxi driver, cleaners.........you name it. Those who have a secondary school background only are also talking about it. Is it a big deal ? Yes it is, cause even the ah soh, ah soh + house wife are mulling over the issue. "Tak boleh", Impossible, "Moh Hou Len" were some of the words utter by the people of all races.

Yes, the price hike is real and not a dream as everyone would like it to be. Personally I don't mind about the petrol price hike cause its increase to my petrol consumption is minimum. However, what I am more worry about in the big picture is the chain reaction on everything. I mean everything including food, transport, services, loans and finally economy. What is the rationale to this increase ? The price of petrol was already fluctuating around USD60 per barrel for the last half year. Its not as if it shot up to USD70-80. If the government can cope with it for the last half year then I believe they can sustain it further.

Was it just a coincidence or a grand plan what with MAS turnaround plan by Mr.Idris Jala announce earlier? I can't help but wonder was it MAS idea or our PM !! Just look at MAS announced turnaround plan. They need RM 4bil and this is obtained by means of RM 1bil from their sales of MAS building, RM 1 bil from foreign fund/loan and the last RM 2bil from government. Where does this RM 2bil come from ? I bet its from the savings of the petrol subsidies :0))

And the G was telling everybody we will use the saving of subsidies to further improve the transportation and other sector. Talk is cheap. Show me concrete plans and result. No output and no timeline is like talking air. Some of my friends was telling me there are more than 101 ways to make more money to compensate the subsidy reduced. Let's take a look at some of the suggestion

1. Tax the rich more to help finance the subsidy of petrol. Why Mercedes are cheaper in My than Thailand ? Obviously trying to set the rules for the benefit of a few millionaire at the top. A case in point is the AP system.

2. With the advancement of MyKad, everything including financial information or social category can be put into the smart chip. You go pump petrol, they scan your MyKad and your are charge according to your financial standing. Don't tell me if you drive a Porsche or a Ferrari you still pay RM 1.62/litre as a Kancil owner. Just look at the price difference, Porsche (RM 1mil) vs Kancil (RM 25,000) !! Just how many Kancil can that rich bugger get with his Porsche ? 40 !!

3. With My as an oil producer country through My own Petronas conglomerate. Petronas are making tons of profit too with the high oil/barrel price. Tax Petronas more and this way the extra amount would more than make up to cover the oil subsidy. The finance balance sheet not working. Erhhh....its all just numbers and effort on most part.

4. Open up the competition. Let foreign own petrol brand (not just ESSO, CALTEX, PROJET) to compete. Free for all. Heard last year, in Singapore (SG) the petrol station compete against each other with offer and price reduction during certain hours and etc. That should be the way and not let Petronas total monopoly and then tax them under minnow category.

5. Lower the prices of cars as comparable to S.E.A. Let's take a look. Our DPM + all other big shot (got the cue from Mr.Samy) always make the same statement. Our petrol prices are the lowest in this region. They avoid talking about national GDP, inflation rate and CPI (Consumer Price Index). What the fuc@ !! Its not apple to apple comparison. Why don't journalist be smart enough and ask them tough and real question. Why prices of cars (non luxury) in My are the highest in S.E.A ?? The politician can only con all the aunties and uncles.

Shit ! Shit ! ^&%&%(*#%$#% was my first reaction when I found out about the price hike. I couldn't believe the G will do this to the people.