I read the announcement of petrol price increase with anger, disappointment and frustration.

As a net exporter of petroleum Malaysia should be rejoicing over the increase of global oil prices. Instead the rakyat is made to suffer.

I can understand why we suffer for the escalating price of rice because we are a net importer. However that should not be the case for oil since we are a net exporter.

The government should be happier to impose windfall profit tax on oil, because the oil companies now have more profit. I empathise with the government trying every possible effort to cushion the impact of oil price increase. However, the scope is limited to consumers, this is not fair.

They are asking consumers to adjust our lifestyles, yet there is no effort to ask government-linked companies to adjust their ‘lifestyles’ as well. Let's talk about Tenaga. Electricity distribution and generation are monopolies. Pricing is arbitrarily set to enhance profit. This is not fair.

In normal circumstances, a business entity exists and makes profit from its ability to compete, to reduce cost and to stay ahead of its competition. The government's commitment to the rakyat must come first and they must ask companies like Tenaga to bear some of the burden.

Tenaga can generate profit by improving productivity and reducing energy usage. This is how Tenaga should add value; otherwise it's a crying shame to build a business out of taxpayer's money. Stand up and show us you can add value.

The independent power producers (IPPs) should be investing into alternative energy research and development and make money from innovation. They should not build their profit on government contracts and tax payers' money.

I walked into Tenaga’s office in Anson Road, Penang. At least half of the Tenaga office was not utilised. Can you imagine how much money can be saved if Tenaga were to reduce the office space by 70%?

It's not very difficult to save money by cutting floor space and reducing energy consumption.

Government offices can help save too. Walk into Komtar and visit the Penang state government offices. You will quickly realise how much can be saved.

Floor space can be saved by combining offices. Shut down the air-conditioning and you will save a lot of money. Huge walkways connecting only a few offices can be torn-down to save electricity.

I have called the Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) several times to enquire and ask for help. You will quickly realise the redundancy and overlapping of roles, and you still don’t get the help you want.

I am worried about our taxpayers’ money. We work hard and we pay our taxes, and therefore those in power should be more prudent and careful and spending our tax money. They have to spend it like a precious commodity. Stretch it as much as they can because they are holding the trust of the people.

All the 222 elected members of parliament and 505 state assemblymen have to guard our money collectively. All 727 elected representatives must work in tandem for the people’s benefit.