Being out of Malaysia for more than 2 years. But still get in touch with the news and issues back in Malaysia. You cannot believe that, everytime I read the news from thestar online (www.thestar.com.my), I tend to get so annoyed with the current (or even future) government:
1) Petrol price hiked for more than 40%
Since the crude oil has been traded at the rocket sky high price, so as other major commodities (thanks to the "forever-caring" traders and the international politics played by the governments), Malaysian government has decided to stop subsidising the petrol and ask the nation to pay for the actual (but not fair) price.
I have been always believe in a free-market economy, and always dislike government to intervene the economy - Market dictates the movements rather than government's manipulation! However, as the principal role of a government, taking care and protecting the nation is definitely the most crucial task. I believe that Malaysian government has never considered how the nation actually feel (I cannot blame them, as there is no protocol to complain / no freedom to speech / if you speak out, you will arrested by the ISA.).
The first impact is definitely on the motorist. I wander the government has considered this - Are we given a choice / an alternative in terms of public transportation? We are definitely not. We have such a disconnected and poor coverage public transportation and as a result we have to drive. In addition, we have show our patrotism to support the "ever-improving" national car - PROTON. 20 years ago, we all talked about the envious transportation system in Singapore, today the topic remains unchanged. This problem existed long ago, if you just look at our traffic problem. It's unbelievable! It's like any other 3rd world countries in the region (Indonesia, Philippines etc.), although our GDP per capita is much more higher than them. Everything is late now, building a sophisticated transport system takes time and it's a long term planning and implementaion, I guess we really have no other choice, so JUST PAY FOR IT!
The ripple effect this issue will also kick it subsequently, starting from the price increment of foods, bus fares, clothes to even banking interest rate. Being a middle class in a society, such inflation is annoying, but it's still affordable. Let's just cut down on some beers, and life goes on. On the other hand, there are many other people who are not so lucky like me. Such increment is just bearable. And again, are they given another choice / alternative? I do not think so. No additional subsidy / grant will be given to these people. So, JUST PAY FOR IT.
Government always compare our old prices to our neighboring countries. Well, i guess this is not a good comparison. We are still a net export country, in terms of oil. Our neighbouring countries may not have so much oil reserves. So, please compare apple to apple.
2) Banned of foreign cars to pump in petrols, and lifted within a week
Needless to say anymore and I will just cut this short - This is a biggest joke of month! I have a simple question to the government, have they considered the revenue collected from tourism / from those who traveled to Malaysia versus the amount being subsidised? I guess they probably not. Since endless years ago, Singapore government has already imposed a rule, their country cars, for each time that these cars are leaving the city, they must have at minimum 2/3 of petrol capacity. So, the amount subsidiesed is definitely considered as minimal.
Why the government just have to impose such ineffective and "stupid" rule to make the tourist to annoyed? Why can't the government implement something which is more effective, such as strengthening the enforcement to reduce the oil-trafficking. Malaysia has been a favor for traveling of many western countries long ago. Today, thanks to our ever-arrogant government, lack of transparency, social security issue, inconvenience public transport etc., we have lost our shine in terms of tourism.
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