Petrol Subsidy
The recent issue of probable petrol and fuel price increase has once again created an uproar among Malaysians in specific although this was a regional affair where the whole world was impacted simultaneously.
The sudden surge was due to the possibility of the government lifting the subsidy cost of petrol from year 2008 based on the financial condition of the motorists; with the intention to lighten the financial burden on those less fortunate or rather those living on a lower range of income. At the same time, the decision to retract the subsidy was also due to the high cost of petrol and also the heavy weight it pose on the government finances as well. In short, the government decided that it was time for us to finally pay for our own petrol without any discount or special promotional price where the significant % will be covered by the government, unless of course, you are poor guy who earns a meagre income.
The first thing that came to my mind when the announcement came on the screen where they were showing this leader talking during one of the meetings on how the prices have gone up and that the government has been really kind to provide subsidy for the petrol to the citizens in the country in an equal distribution. Then an argument was raised on the logic behind the government’s subsidy to everyone when the people are segregated into different financial background and economy status. The reason the government is providing subsidy is to heave off the weight of the cost of the petrol off the shoulders of the motorists in the country. However, the meaning of subsidy should pertain to those who are really in need of the subsidy and not to even the rich who can afford to buy several cars and houses but not able to pay the full price of petrol for their expensive cars.
I was a little bewildered at the statement that the government should start rationing the subsidy to provide for only the poor and not those "rich towkays who drive big cars and cruise through petrol stations". It was a unique situation which leaves one wondering at how do you scrutinize through every single cars that drive into the gas station and to determine their financial status on whether these are "rich towkays" or poor Ah Bengs. It is definitely just a literal thinking of mine but I do think this is an underrated statement without considering the impact in general.
Pushing the issue of technically segregating the rich from the poor when it comes to petrol filling and paymen, another issue that would arise would be the level of discrimination and elevate the disintegration case between the different social status. Are we to pursue the same social discrepancy in distinguishing the rich and poor as in other countries? The fact that Malaysia continues to be one of the harmonious and united country despite the multi-racial community has been something we have been proud over the years. The poor and the rich were always been apart due to the social status but the gap here in this country was not as huge as in other first world countries and we ought to be proud of that. With the implementation of this new policy, one can only imagine the effects of the distinguished entries into the gas station.
The surge in the petrol price increase is also nothing unexpected with the sudden rifts and issues arising but Malaysians would not have expected an approximate of almost ~RM1 increment excluding the subsidy. Thus, it is no surprise that the citizens would start crying out loud. With the upcoming election, it is expected that there will no petrol price increase or so they say, at the moment. However, what next? Once everything is set and after election, what will happen?
On the other hand, the AFTA policy is approaching but with the current probability of the petrol price increase, do we look forward to the policy anymore where we get better prices of that much dreamed of imported car? I doubt so; and I am with the majority who are slowly considering on selling off their cars and hitch/carpool with colleagues and friends.
On the brighter side, perhaps this would help to reduce the pollution caused by the carbon monoxide emitted from the cars exhaust pipes and promote the rates of commuters for the public transport provided. That is also another issue, perhaps the public transport should be ready before we can implement this?
