(http://blog.thestar.com.my/permalink.asp?id=15195#comment)
Malaysians has been called to endure a step change after indecisive Prime Minister has announced the increase of fuel prices in Malaysia. Its something for the best as what the Prime Minister has spoken to press after being considered as his political suicidal.
It’s true for Malaysian to have change in the way of living and I have to agree, Malaysian were being comfortable enough to not appreciate the fuel prices in the past. However that is not the case.
The subsidy that previously enjoyed by Malaysian was actually a REBATE, which Petronas has given to Malaysian as a form of paying back to the government on their profits. That was always the case since the formation of Petronas since 1974. Previous government thought, it was a good idea to make it such way as it will boost and actually make the economy flow. How?
The Rakyat was not burden with the price of fuel, and it could actually make other stuff to be affordable. Transportation cost to ferry goods from one place to another would be minute and the Rakyat would be able to by food at the groceries stores at affordable price. The Rakyat too would enjoy driving on the North South Expressway (NSE) and visit other states or frequently go back to their hometown with affordable fuel mileage. Although the Rakyat would need to pay the toll to be able to use the roads, with its easy assessable and would generate the income of the local community by the tourism ticket. Local community too could go to work to the urban places by accessible by road because their price f house or rental is much more lower than in the cities.
Now, with the fuel prices increased, definitely the transportation cost would be increased as well and clearly stated by the businessmen that the cost would be translated to the consumers. People now won’t be traveling that often to other small cities. Apart from the fuel price increase, people won’t be assessable as they could use to because insufficient public transport. What could I say about the safety of that public transportation that we have in Malaysia? Buses plunged into ravine, the emergency door opens while the bus is moving, being molested or rape in the busses and trains.
It can be insignificant to the Government that all these potential scenarios would happened to the rakyat, because how often you see the government official be on public transportation? How often would you see that a minister would pump petrol at the same petrol station that you always pumped at?
The public transport in Malaysia need to be passenger friendly, easy accessible, and affordable. Various network on land, rail and air transportation is essential to cover all areas in Malaysia, whether it is in the city or whether it is in the interior states of Malaysia. Frequent trains to intercity or interstates are needed badly to move people from other states or city to work in the high cost of living city.
Vast bus transportation network which covers all sub-urban residential to ferry them to their work place is badly needed without compromising safety and of course, despite the price hike, the ticket prices should be affordable for the Rakyat to actually use the bus, trains and airplanes. Mass quantity of people using the public transport would definitely offset the operating cost in the long run.
So, what do we need to change actually?
- Yes, Mentality of people and these people includes the MINISTERS and also the government officials.
- Public transportation shall be safe, effective, efficient and assessable. Intensive rail network where you can even book online with travel packages as the European train companies do. Those rail networks is being served by bus networks whichever areas not covered by rails. And with this connectivity are being charged with a single ticket. You will reach the destination without even worrying being left by the bus.
- The government needs to control inflation by controlling the price hike such as transportation cost, the food cost and other related items with the oil and gas prices.
- Then government official need to be as same level as the Rakyat. Taking the public transport, living the same quality of life as the Rakyat are, and being pay taxes like any others would do.
SO, how would government generate income?
- Easy, hire more economist, more professionals like engineers, doctors, lawyers to actually do the work and no just talk and draft resolutions until the next term.
- Put aside personal interest, including the Prime Minister himself, because in life, leaders are deem to be leading by example.
- The government needs to change their strategy to woo foreign investor to invest in this competitive market with China and India booming with lower labour cost. Malaysia needs to be a value adder provider to these two countries to sustain. It’s not to compete, but to work co operatively with these two giants towards being developed nation.
- Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers, Government officials, and also Members of Parliaments need to cut down with their pay salary and all those luxury allowances. 10% cut does not justifies with the 40% price increase, if the governments’ reason to cut down subsidy and continue with progress. Bare in mind, progress will not produce outcome overnight, therefore the salary and allowance cut shall be until the economic or new leadership is in place.
Comments
Petronas is owned by the shareholders, comprising a lot of parties and also it is a public listed company (for its subsidaries like Dagangan and Carigali)> Petronas itself is reporting to The PM straight.
Bare in mind, this is not about Petronas, its about how the country being managed. You are taking one feet out and left somethig else crumbling down without doing another support.
Also to take note, if we rely on 30% of income from Petronas for our country's development, that 30% wont be available all the time as fossil fuel are depleting by the day. The Gov need to think an alternative to gain income for the country, for example U.A.E (Dubai), promoting tourism because knowing their oil and gas reserve will last 15 years or less.
Therefore, We shouldnt depend on Petronas solely, we need a good governance to manage our country to be a developed and prosperous country.
No comments:
Post a Comment