Much had been said and written on the recent drastic increase in postal rates by Pos Malaysia. But does the government care about this feedback from the public? Or do they care more about their pockets?

When Pos Malaysia announced their 'new classes of mail', I visited their website . There it was stated that the maximum weight for periodicals was 500gm and the postage rate was RM1.

However, in Pos Malaysia's handouts, pamphlets and subsequent advertisements in the press, the maximum weight for periodicals was suddenly changed to only 250gm.

I have called their customer helpline at 1300-300-300 but they are in the dark over the matter to.

In announcing the new postal rates, Pos Malaysia Managing director and CEO Ikmal Hijaz Hashim said: "A new classification, 'Periodicals', will be introduced as part of Pos Malaysia's effort to support Malaysia's aim to become a knowledge-based society. Competitive rates will be offered to magazines and educational publications sent by post."

Does he mean what he says? Or is this a typical public relations spin? How many periodicals weigh less than 250gm? Most magazines, educational publications and their like today weigh more than 250gm, I can tell you that.

Publishers have begun to revise their subscription rates because to mail out a magazine will cost them RM2 (up to 500gm) and RM3.50 if the magazine is more than 500gm.

Now the public has to pay more to subscribe to a periodical as publishers will not absorb the high postage charges. Is this towards supporting the aim of becoming a knowledge-based society?