The Rise Of Petrol

Ladies and Gentlemen, yes, the petrol prices have gone up up up here in Malaysia too! Prices of Unleaded fuel has gone up from Rm1.92 to Rm2.70 per liter whereas Diesel fuel has gone up from Rm1.58 to Rm2.58 per liter as well as of today on the 5th of June at 12 midnight. People were piling up the petrol stations before mid night yesterday to make sure that their cars have been filled up.

Which brings me to ask, is the government making the right choice? Well, i was in my lecture today and my lecturer was saying that there was some talk about blogging by political bloggers on campus today. Well, he said something like, "...they said that it is not the government fault for doing so as they don't control the price of oil..." well, that wasn't what her really said, but something like that, I just couldn't remember. Well apparently the people at the blog seminar was talking about that.

And it made me think, yes, the Americans are the ones controlling the price of fuel. And that we don't have a shortage of fuel, it's just the Americans who are controlling it. But the main question is, is the government doing the right thing jacking up the price of fuel just like that? And by a lot as well! Well I think it's somewhat of a harsh decision for the government to do so, especially so suddenly.

Yes, in America, or in Singapore, people are paying much more for fuel compared to us, like Singaporeans as an example are paying s$2.70 per liter and the Americans however are paying us$3.976 per gallon for fuel there which is about Rm12.72 per gallon here. Well, 1 gallon is 3.785 liters. So you do the math. They are actually paying more compared to us. But the thing is, they're earning much much more as compared to us as well.

In Malaysia, especially in east Malaysia, we get paid so low. We have a minimum wage of Rm2.75 an hour whereas Singapore has a minimum wage of s$5.00 an hour. We pay Rm2.70, they pay s$2.70. So even though their fuel prices are higher than ours, they get paid much much more compared to us Malaysians. Which is why they wouldn't mind paying that much for their fuel.

The government has done something to try and minimize our misery by giving discounts on road tax and giving back a certain amount of money to the people. But why not pull off the import tax for vehicles and jack up the oil price to the standard price following the ups and downs of the world economy? That way, we can save maybe Rm10,000 on buying Protons and also save 200% percent buying imported cars! That way, the people won't really hurt. Or at least lift up the minimum wage of the people.

I am, as a student, as a driver who doesn't want to drive his 14 year old 4.2 liter diesel landcruiser is affected by this. I am a citizen who is angry and disappointed at the government for doing such a thing. Especially to us, the citizens who voted for them. What is this world coming to? I sense something going to go against them pretty soon :)