I am still in Karachi and am really looking forward to returning to Malaysia. However, news from home sure travels fast with the internet. The latest one is regarding the demonstrations related to the fuel price hike. Massive demostrations, mostly held and lead by the opposition party. Yes, the price hike was high, at 30 cents. This is an increase of about 20% if I am not mistaken. I can't even remember how much was the previous fuel price given the number of times it has increased the previous year. Since everyone is voicing their opinion on this increase, I guess so will I.
First, I agree with the price hike. It was inevitable given the price movement of the crude oil in world markets. I agree that the fuel subsidies were burning a hole in the government's pocket given their other commitments (some of these commitments are also unjustifiable but I won't comment on those). What I did not agree was the reasons and excuses given by the goverment officials or rather lame excuses asking us to adapt and change our lifestyles. I don't know about the other Malaysians but I have already adapted my lifestyle even before this fuel hike. And let me say, I was taking and fully reliant on the public transport before I got a car. And I know what it is like taking the public transport. In the beginning, before the birth of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) I was taking the buses. Rushing and pushing just to get a seat. The time take to travel to work (in the city) tooked one to one and half hours. The traffic was bad. Then came the lrt, and things became better. That was only because I stayed near to the LRT stations. Later as I moved on in my career, I moved into other housing areas. But there were bus service and LRTs. Life would certainly be very difficult without those. However, the point was, I seldom use the buses to travel into the city. It was terrible. The best way was to take the bus to the nearer train station or LRT and take the LRT. See, I have adapted long before some big hat goverment official started lecturing to us, that the general public to adjust our lifestyles. During my part-time MBA days, I took the cab to the university's campus as there was no direct transport from my office to my uni's campus in the city center, Kuala Lumpur. I have adapted. However, there was always a limit on this. When I shifted in with my sister's family, I cannot rely on the public transport anymore simply because it was no longer convenient. So I drove. Yes, I got a car. Still, I relied on public transport such as the trains and taxis for short trips. I have adapted, my dear minister who knows nothing about the reality. On the other hand, I hope this same minister never becomes Malaysia's future Prime Minister.
Kuala Lumpur is packed with cars. I do not want it to become another Bangkok or Jakarta. This is the other reason why I support this price hike although it will burn a hole in my pockets. I told my friend, that I've become poorer by 20% due to the hike. Why? Because everything else will increase and it will feel as such although it was kinda of exaggerating. Goverment says they will monitor but I do not think anymore can prevent the price increase. On the other hand, during the fuel price hike, our currency, the Malaysian Ringgit has appreciated. As we have all seen, prices will never go down, will it?
The other thing which pisses me off is the other reason for the price hike. To improve the public transport. Shouldn't we improve the public transport first and then increase the fuel prices? What guarantee do we have that the public transport will improve? How do we know that the savings from the fuel subsidies are being put to good use to improve the public transport? We have heard this before, again and again that the public transport needs to be improved. But I do not see any change. Bus service goes missing during peak hours. In fact, they go missing during non-peak hours. And the other thing about subsidies, is that all types of subsidies should go to the needy. But I do not want to debate on that because it is a sensitive issue in Malaysia given the multi-racial environment we live in.
So I agree with the fuel price hike although it is painful. If it will reduce the number of cars in the city, so be it. I see kids nowadays having cars although they have not even started working yet. But the excuses given behind the increase, really sux. And we shouldn't blame the national oil company for this. It is a business entity. Like all business entity, it should be run to make profits, beside being transparent and accountable for its actions. It is the goverment whom I am worried. Where will the fuel subsidy savings go to?
This is also about our national car company which relys on the local market for its survival, are they producing energy efficient cars? Or just fuel guzzlers?
Hmmm...
