With the wound of the recent price increase still fresh, PKR's de-facto leader, Anwar Ibrahim, reiterated that his government - if given the chance - will reduce the oil price. Impressive! But is that logical?
I mean, it’s true Malaysia is a net oil exporter. It’s true that we are one of the most expensive amongst oil exporting nations. It’s true that Petronas profits belong to the people and its CEO Hassan Merican has no right to ask the government to remove oil subsidy.
But it is also true that oil is a limited resource and soon Malaysia will be a net importer. Then what? I hope Anwar will look at the bigger picture instead of playing to populist whims and fancies.
We should look at improving:
1. The public transport infrastructure nationwide and bot only in the cities although it is most necessary there. We should ensure that the roads in the country are well maintained and economically affordable to all Malaysians. Have public transportation that is reliable, efficient and affordable. Being an oil-producing country, I cannot understand why is our system so badly implemented, managed and maintained.
2. Education. While subsidies will ease the burden for a short period of time, a good and free education system would power the country into the future. With more universities and scholarships, we would be able to ensure our next generations have the best of opportunities to build their knowledge and skills regardless of colour.
With the savings in subsidies, the government will be able to hire the best minds and build the best universities for our children. Continued existence in excellence - isn’t this what we wanted? Or was it just a pipe dream concocted by our government for the last 50 years?
3. Improve our competitive edge in the automotive and high-tech industries. Removing the need to support the national car project would allow the government to allow cars of better quality to be sold at a much cheaper price to the public.
On top of that, foreign car makers would be tempted to set up plants here in Malaysia. After all, we are SEA largest automotive market. That will also benefit all the supporting automotive industries. The loss of jobs in Proton will instead translate into more jobs should the industry flourish under free trade.
4. Malaysians should be allowed to take their communities off TNB's power grid. This is for those people who live where they can harness the power of the winds or sun. We have sunlight 365 days a year so I do not see a problem whereby we provide for communities to build and generate clean power for their consumption.
They can then have the option to sell back excess power into the grid, basically to TNB. Malaysians can then be masters of their own destiny and not be held to ransom by TNB should the tariffs increase.
Instead, they may find their effort in producing clean energy being rewarded. Alas, our government in wanting to ensure TNB's survival will never allow this to happen.
5. Medical facilities can be further enhanced. The wait (and facilities) in public hospitals normally leave a bad taste in the mouth. It is high time they be improved what with the amount of money being poured into healthcare.
6. Welfare handouts to retired citizens. This need not be a lot but I think if we can administer this as how the government administers the pensions of government servants, it will be a good way to say thank you to those who have put in the effort to bring our country to where it is today.
RM200 a month may not be a lot but I think with this token of appreciation, they can have some small luxuries in their golden years. Not all retirees have successful children who can care for their old folk.
While I know BN will not read nor act on this, I hope someone makes good use of their time in government to make something meaningful of it. We have only one country and we have only now to make things right. Let us not mess it up and leave our children without much to build on.
So Datuk Seri Anwar, I hope when you decide on the fuel subsidy - should your government come into being - I hope you decide with tomorrow in heart. I hope you decide as a Malaysian and not as a leader trying to gain brownie points today only to be laden with liabilities tomorrow.
I hope you will have the foresight to do the right thing. I hope you will be a prime minister for all Malaysians should you come into power.
But to our current PM, all is not lost yet, really. You just need to go the final mile and right the wrongs. Merely saying you will undertake steps to alleviate the burden is not enough. We want to see action.
People generally would not mind being burdened if they see good coming out of it at the end. But today, I can only see the billions saved going into some politicians’ coffers. So, our dear PM, prove us wrong for once. Be a PM and do something positive that we can remember you by. Be a PM to Malaysians - not to Umno.
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