Consumers unhappy with high cost of living despite fuel price cut

KOTA KINABALU: Consumers and motorists, already reeling from the high cost of living in the State are not too excited about the latest reduction of fuel prices, as prices of essential goods have not come down as it should.

The 10 sen reduction for a litre of petrol and diesel announced by the Government Wednesday would slightly reduce motorists’ fuel expenses, but a random survey among respondents in the state capital said they were rather disappointed with the “very little” reduction that was announced by the Prime Minister.

Those met said they were hoping for a higher reduction that would meaningfully help them cope with the expensive cost of living in the City.

A 28-year old credit manager from Inanam, Daphne George, said she was hoping for reduction of at least 20 sen, adding, the 10 sen reduction does not mean much to the consumers as they still have to deal with expensive prices of essential daily items.

“The prices of everything have only gone up and have not come down since the increase of fuel prices in June despite the two reductions announced by the Government.

“Everything is expensive now and most people find it very difficult just to keep by every month,” said Daphne.

Although oil prices on the international front had dropped slightly, the Prime Minister in a statement Wednesday said 10 sen was the maximum value the government could reduce due to the weakened Ringgit.

This is the second reduction made by the Government since the hike on June 5 which saw petrol and diesel prices jump 80 sen and RM1 respectively.

The first reduction was on Aug 23 where petrol was reduced to RM2.55 from RM2.70 per litre and diesel from RM2.58 to RM2.50.

Another respondent, Mohd Razlan Razak, echoed similar views, saying the two reductions combined were still not enough to offset the additional expenses have to be dealt with by his family due to the increase of prices of various daily products.

Razlan noted that essential items such as canned food, milk, cooking oil and other cooking products, toiletries and many more, have gone up, in some places up to 40 sen following the June fuel price increase.

In addition, said the 31-year-old dispatch boy, restaurants and school busses have also increased their prices, further hurting the livelihood of his family of five.

“I am grateful that at least the Government had reduced the fuel prices by 25 sen in two reductions. I am sure this means a lot to many people. But as for me, my fuel is fully paid by my employer,” he said.

He added it would be better if the Government can do something to ensure that the decrease in fuel prices will result in decrease of daily products as well.

“After all it was the fuel hike that caused them to increase at the first place,” he said.

Echoing similar view, Abdul Han Majakir, 29, said it is important for the Government to address the high cost of living that is greatly affecting the lives of the low income group in the State.

Reducing fuel prices alone would not help the poor if the increase of essential products and services triggered by the last fuel price hike is not reduced, said the fish monger from Likas.

“Most of the poor and even the low income group don’t have cars anyway. So, they don’t buy petrol like us but they do buy groceries. And groceries nowadays are expensive,” he said.

New Sabah Times