'The rakyat must make it very clear that we are not against cutting subsidies, but the government leaders have to show the rakyat they are willing to tighten their belts first.'

Protest against price hike to be launched July 28

Beetle: Keep up the good work, Protes. The rakyat thank you for standing up for them and for initiating this protest to let the government know that we are not happy with the price increase.

First, we need to let the government know that they must cut wastage and tackle corruption before they have the right to deny us subsidies. We, the rakyat must make it very clear that we are not against cutting subsidies, but the government leaders have to show the rakyat they are willing to tighten their belts first.

Remember, whatever they spend is the rakyat's money and they have no right to live like kings while the rakyat suffer. If this government is really 'people first', then they need to show the rakyat they mean what they say by being transparent in all government dealings.

Magnus: No one likes propping up unprofitable businesses/products with ‘unhealthy' subsidies (for too long or without good reason) when they cannot compete fairly in the free market. There is a fat public sector now doing things in the most ‘unhealthy' manner, and we're paying far too many ‘unhealthy' subsidies to keep useless, unprofitable ‘businesses'.

Proton, which gets subsidised (funded by car-buyers) by the protectionism enforced against the free-market price mechanism through artificially jacked-up prices of imported cars, and against which most of Proton's technologically ‘ugly' box-like, run of-the-mill cars cannot match in terms of quality, aesthetics and price outside of Malaysia.

So until this Umno/BN government stops fooling us with its pseudo-economics games of unjustified protectionism and criminal waste from incompetence, inefficiencies and corruption, I suggest we fight any price hike from subsidy withdrawals or new taxes.

Patriot: Yes, it would be good for us to show our concern by giving our moral support. I, too, will be there when the details of the protest have been finalised.

Malaysia getting too expensive to live in

Sarawakian: Welcome to Bolehland, the land where there is a free flow of milk and honey - for Umnoputras and their cronies, that is. So we're going to save RM750 million? Big deal.

How much did the two submarines cost us? And how much of PKFZ had been drained by the gang of politically-connected politicians and their cronies? At the end of the day, it's the poor and the middle-class who have to foot the bill yet again - all because we have a morally bankrupt government.

Alan Goh Soo Meng: What is RM750 million saved in a year when the alleged commission for the two useless submarines paid to Perimekar came to RM550 million? What about the RM3 billion of properties in Ottawa, Seattle and London - all owned by the chief minister of Sarawak?

Phan Gaik Cher: All the money saved from subsidy cuts will just end up in the pockets of BN politicians and cronies. The BN government will continue to waste money and siphon off the country's wealth to line their pockets. They don't give a damn how the rakyat suffer. It's time to kick BN out.

ABC: Malaysia has not been a cheap place to live since the first Proton rolled off the production floor. Crappy Milo tin cars costing RM40,000, and needing seven to nine years to pay off (on an average salary). This is way too ridiculous. Umnoputras are milking us dry and giving us second-class products/services while they laugh all the way to the (Swiss) bank.

Lee Heng Soon: After 52 years of BN/Umno rule, our currency has depreciated so much that a plate of chicken rice can cost us between RM10 to RM15 in Singapore. A one-way taxi ride from Los Angeles airport to our hotel can cost RM340 and a simple meal may cost us RM40.

The majority of Malaysian voters have been blinded by this lie for too long. Please wake up. If not, our currency will be on par with the Indonesian rupee in no time.

Louis: The worst part is that the RM750 million saved is only sufficient to cover the commission paid for the submarine purchase. The rakyat is suffering, so what steps has PM Najib taken to control the expenditure among his cabinet ministers?

Price hike: Call a spade a spade

Concerned: Sometimes one cannot help wondering whether so‑called consumer associations, including Fomca and CAP (Consumers Association of Penang), have hidden political agendas when they speak against the interests of consumers instead of protecting their interests.

If that is so, the office holders should do the honourable thing ‑ resign as they can no longer ethically discharge their duties to the consumers they claim to represent.

Bertrand Russell: Fomca and CAP have lost their sense of direction. They say sugar is bad so the government can raise the price. Next, they will say that the air is polluted, and tell us not to breathe. What's next?

FOMCA and CAP, please get the government to reduce their extravagance. We are losing faith in NGOs that have lost their guts.

Ferdtan: Well said, Perak Consumers Association president Abdul Rahman Said Alli. As a consumers NGO, you speak for us all.

Shame on you Fomca, the national consumer body, and CAP, for being the government's apologists. The president of CAP, SM Mohd Idris, has been too long in his position and should resign for a younger activist who knows his job and not be too compliant.

Voice: Fomca and CAP, the government has projected RM750 million in savings per year from these subsidy cuts. So the question to you now is, where will these savings come from? Obviously it will come from the rakyat who pay for these price hikes.

So it is immaterial whether people spend less or more for all these price increases. The rakyat still has to spend for essential items and, at the same time, bear the heavy burden of increased cost of living.

Beetle: Last night (Saturday), the BN government held a grand dinner in a five-star hotel for 2,800 Bakisa members in Kota Kinabalu and the PM and his ‘first lady' was the guest of honour. At an average of RM100 per head, a total of RM280,000 was spent for food - not inclusive of other expenses.

How does the government expect the rakyat to support the subsidies cut when they themselves are so extravagantly spending the rakyat's money? Is this the BN's motto, "Do what I tell you to do and not what I do."

You can spin and lie but the rakyat have eyes to see for themselves whether you are sincere in this latest round of price hikes.

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