Fuel price increase is unacceptable

The latest fuel price increase is unacceptable and an insult to the wisdom and choice of Sabahan who gave almost 100 per cent support to the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the last general election to stay in power.

Sabahan would not have imagined that this is what they would be getting for supporting the BN in the last election.

The fuel price hike announcement came as a surprise after Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Shahrir Ahmad, had earlier the same day stated that the Government would only be announcing a new scheme for the fuel subsidy in August.

The announcement of the latest and steepest fuel price increase a "major mistake" by the BN government.

The move was made hastily without fully exploring other measures to mitigate the impact of the global fuel price increase.

Compared to Hong Kong and Singapore, Malaysia is still very much lagging when it comes to better public transport.

The Federal Government must not have simply resorted to increasing the fuel price without improving public transportation in the country.

The latest increase would inflict more hardship on the people, especially the lower-income group.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must come up with more concrete measures to resolve the Sabah issues, instead of just "talk ".

The Federal Government, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs especially, to expedite the move to standardise prices of goods in the country.

This was only appropriate as with the latest fuel price increase, the people of Sabah would be worse hit with higher goods prices, compared to Peninsular Malaysia.

Leaders who failed to safeguard the welfare and interest of the people should immediately step down and let others more capable take over.

Not only did the Government fail to ease the people's burden amid the high inflation rate currently experienced by the nation but, proceeded to announce a steep fuel price increase.

The Federal Government has reneged on its election pledge that it won't hike the price of fuel within this year that was reiterated by Shahrir later.

This inevitably caused the people to lose their trust and confidence in the Government.

The latest move on price completely contradicted BN's proclamation of providing "security, peace and prosperity" as contained in its last election manifesto.

This inevitably gave the people a bad impression that the Government always preached one thing but did another.

I feared that the move would trigger an "economic tsunami" that would inflict devastating suffering on the people.

The people's frantic rush to the petrol stations on the eve of the fuel price increase clearly indicated its impact on the people.

The latest fuel price increase was too much, unreasonable and unacceptable to the people. The people just can't accept the reason given by the Government that the latest increase was to subsidise food and other items.

The increase will only cause prices of goods to go up and the rebates given by the Government are just too insignificant compared to the additional cost incurred by the people, as a result of the fuel price increase.

The fuel price hike would also lead to more social issues including the smuggling of subsidised goods and illegal money lending activities.

Taxi, bus and lorry operators in the State have begun clamouring for an upward revision of fares to offset Wednesday's sudden hefty fuel price hike.

Some taxis to be already quoting higher rates while bus operators say they will be out of business if fares are not raised from the present 10 sen per km to 16 sen.

The busmen said this is necessary to cushion the impact of the 78 sen and RM1 increase, respectively, in the prices of petrol and diesel.

Public transport fares are regulated by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB). Express bus operators were hardest hit by the move that saw the diesel price going up from RM1.58 to RM2.58 per litre. Petrol went up from RM1.92 to RM2.70 per litre.

In an immediate reaction, all express bus operators have decided to stop providing free "nasi campur" and bottle of drinking water jointly worth RM4 to passengers.

If the Government does not do anything, express bus operators in Sabah will have to close shop.

On behalf of express bus operators I am urging the Government to look into our plight seriously especially the CVLB to consider revising the rate.

It will be disastrous to continue operating at the present rate without taking into account the huge fuel price hike. Besides, it has been four years since the rate has been reviewed. A full tank for an express bus means filling up 310 litres of diesel, which based on the new price, is equivalent to a whopping RM799.80.

Just break even if the fare is upped to 16 sen per km.

Long-haul bus operators face a different situation in Sabah compared to their counterparts in the peninsula where road conditions are better.

Sabah roads are not that good and we have to shoulder extra cost in maintenance since tyres, suspension and other parts wear out quicker and unexpectedly.

If the Government does not allow the fare hike then it should consider giving special exemption to express bus operators from the new price.

House prices will go up with the price hike in fuel.

Fuel price increase would likely result in a serious political fallout for the Barisan Nasional government.

If there is a by-election as a result of election petitions (filed in court), this increase of fuel prices will be a major issue.

The fuel price increase will have an inevitable domino effect on essential items, leaving consumers no choice but to change their lifestyle.

Government also must be serious in curbing its spending.
The way the government operates its machinery and public service in its delivery system is wasteful every Ministry and the departments under it must now scrutinise and check expenditures for extravagance. Lavish functions in five-star hotels, for instance, should be limited. Staff should be reduced and deadwood eliminated.

The retirement age of 58 should not apply to every public servant but only those who can still contribute.

Certain elected representatives (YBs), citing use of government vehicles according to their whims. They should stop all this wastefulness.

Many vehicle owners would opt for public transportation if the authorities make it efficient and reliable.
If you have idle land, use them. Transform them into something viable. We have to anticipate that worse things are yet to come. We may be facing shortage of daily necessities, like rice, that we are only now beginning to see.