DAP launches campaign as inflation hits the poor

Harakahdaily

IPOH, Jan 11: Spiralling inflation and increase in prices of grocery have started to affect the lower income group, prompting DAP into launching a signature drive to protest price hikes. The signature campaign launched in Ipoh is to oppose the recent price hike in oil, gas, sugar, flour, seafood, onions and other food materials, which have severely affected the people especially those from the lower income group. “Based on the figures provided by the Prime Minister’s Department, 40 percent of families in Malaysia have income lower than RM2,300 a month, in which 192,000 families in Perak come under this category. "Hence, the rising oil prices and the side effects had worsened the living condition (of these poor families),” said Taiping member of parliament, Nga Kor Ming. Nga who led the signature campaign in Ipoh Timur, said it was unfortunate for Malaysia as a petroleum producing country with income to the tune of RM60 billion, to bring up oil prices, which saw an increase by RM1.10 a litre over the past 8 years. The RON 97 fuel, which cost RM1.30 in 2003, now sells for RM2.40 a litre following removal of subsidies supervised by the government's Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU). 2% inflation rate? Nga, who is also the Pantai Remis state assemblyman, also questioned the claim that inflation stood at 2 percent, and cited the price of sugar had skyrocketed by 80 percent a kilo within one year, from RM 1.45 to RM 2.10 per kilo. “The hike for sugar is already 80 percent in a year, how can the government still insist that the country’s inflation rate is only 2 percent?” he asked. Nga added the government’s plan for a 'high income nation' was "all talks". “Because before the income increases, the people will suffer with expensive prices on goods and declining purchasing power,” he added.