‘The economy is slowing down, prices are soaring, the purchasing power of consumers is shrinking and the minister has the cheek to say this.'
On Gov't should profit from low fuel prices, says Shahrir
John Tan: Well, haven't we seen such arrogance!
The economy is slowing down, prices are soaring, the purchasing power of consumers is shrinking and the minister has the cheek to say that ‘Gov't should make revenue out of low fuel prices'.
This literally translates into that no matter how much your earning power is, it is the government's right to bleed you more in your times of need.
Remember, even the poor motorcyclist pays for petrol too.
Eternal Optimist: I must say that the minister's response seems a bit illogical.
Personally, I think it's good that the government has allowed such frequent price changes (up and down) to take place - thus introducing Malaysian motorists to the realities of market forces on the cost of fuel.
One might even say some of us are being 'weaned off' the subsidy mentality and have come to accept those of market forces pricing.
Still, the government should stop harping on subsidies and instead just let people pay for what they use. Sure, it is reasonable to expect some form of taxation on the price we pay for fuel.
But other than that, any gains to be made from lower fuel prices should pass through to consumers. Likewise, if prices go up, then we as consumers will adapt.
Besides, isn't the government supposed to gain revenue from taxes and not by hedging on greater 'margins'?
Nik V: Am I missing something? I don't seem to get it when Shahrir said: ‘The government is justified to earn revenue from the recent drop of global oil prices as it had given out subsidies when prices were high'.
If I understand correctly, the government was hired by the rakyat to work for the rakyat . So whatever they do, it should be an attempt to benefit the rakyat and not to burden the rakyat .
If the government does business, it should be to export of our products and services to the rest of the world to bring in revenue to run Malaysia Incorporated.
Of course, it is much more complicated than that but would not that be the premise of any business towards its stakeholders?
While I do have a certain admiration for Shahrir, I do realise that he still comes from an administration that has a tough time shedding the mentality that the rakyat is accountable to the government and not the other way round.
This seriously needs to change.
On Pempena scandal: Ex-chief Chor targeted
Jr Lee: The massive fraud in Pempena makes the blood of every Malaysian boil.
Every decent law-abiding Malaysian taxpayer has slogged, sweated and toiled through rain and shine only to find that their hard-earned money has been siphoned into the pockets of some conmen via the ministry of tourism.
The first question is why is the tourism ministry investing millions of taxpayer's money in companies that it has no knowledge of, let alone know how to manage? It was reported that two of the companies do not even exist!
Where is the accountability? Why is Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Said not aware of these fraudulent investments?
Why is there no management control and supervision in this ministry which has been allocated hundreds of millions every year under the Ninth Malaysia Plan?
The other question is why was Chew Mai Fun appointed as executive chairperson of Pempena in May to resolve the fraud and mismanagement in Pempena?
Is she a company turnaround expert? In a political debate before the recent election, she did not even know that Petronas was not listed so how on earth is she going to turnaround Pempena?
An experienced turnaround investment banker would be the ideal candidate as executive chairperson rather than a politician.
On Penang may lose heritage status over building row
Nation First: The new Penang state government must do all it can to protect the interest of the country by not losing the much-valued Unesco heritage status which put us on the world map (read: tourism earnings).
While the blunder was committed by the previous administration (sigh), we are sure the developers of the highrise buildings concerned will be able to see the more important aspect of saving the country from being another ‘world-class joke'- we will be first country on record to lose this prestigious status so fast!
Lately, we have offered more than enough nonsense for the international community to laugh at us, so please save us some pride.
Talk earnestly to the developers and ask them to reconsider their plans. Money should not be the ultimate reason for mankind to exist. Most of us have forgotten about God's plan.
And all cheap politicians who are waiting to bounce on this golden opportunity to gain mileage, stay back.
For once ask yourself what you can do for the country and not what the country can do for you.
My View: I smell something fishy in the writer's view about the 'negative win' of DAP in Penang. To me, a win is a win.
The writer is not being fair to DAP and has underestimated Penang voters who casted their votes for DAP.
I believe Penang voters voted in DAP during the last 12 th general election because they chose to do so.
Pakatan Rakyat presented themselves as an alternative to BN and Penang voters gave their overwhelming support. That is what we call a democracy.
On Shah Rukh can't come for award function
Derek: It's really quite ridiculous to award Khan with a Datuk-ship in the first place. Now that's twice he has thumbed his nose at Malacca.
First, he didn't attend the official awards ceremony and now he has postponed his visit yet again apparently ‘because he is too busy'.
If Khan really wanted to spare the Malacca government from more controversy and loss of face, he would have made a real effort to turn up on the second date (fixed specifically to accommodate him by the way) to receive his award.
Why the heck should the Malacca government accommodate Khan by setting a new date? There was also no public apology from Khan that he could not attend.
I believe Khan is just not bothered about the Datuk-ship. Can't Malacca sense that? I bet if he were getting an award at the Cannes Film Festival, he would be there in the blink of an eye.
I would suggest that if Khan doesn't turn up again on the next date set, the state government should just revoke the award and reserve it for a more deserving recipient.
On the other hand, if Khan is so vital to the Malacca's tourism efforts, perhaps the chief minister himself should fly to Mumbai and pin it on the great man's lapel.
