Paul Ooi of Colorado, in stating that oil prices in Malaysia are still cheaper compared to the US, is comparing an apple to an orange. Guha has explained why. Import tax duties and road tax are just a few of the reasons.

What is the earning power of an American as compared to a Malaysian? I am not even talking about conversion here. I am strictly referring to the ringgit as compared to the greenback . Flipping a burger at a McDonalds in the US could earn you US$6-7 and hour. Do you want to know how much you are able to earn flipping a patty in Malaysia? How about RM3.50?

Who needs fuel subsidy when you can have the option of buying a hybrid Toyota Prius or a Honda Civic for US$15,000 to 20,000. We are talking about the 2006 Car of the Year for less than RM60,000. Now imagine what kind of car Malaysian we are able to get for RM60,000 currently. Just for your reference, the new Civic will be priced from RM120,000 -135,000 in Malaysia.

The car industry in US is so competitive in every sense of the word that the benefits are directly or indirectly transferred to the consumers. The Malaysian government talks about efficiency. I am sure that driving a Proton Iswara is inefficient because I own one. As a matter of fact, it has safety features that are more suitable for year 1974. Plus it is a gas guzzler! Where do I start? Let me compare it to the Hyundai Pony that was being sold in Winnipeg, Canada at the time when I was studying there. You can get that car for C$6,000.

We do not need subsidies. We can be efficient, provided that the government lets us. Do I feel like I am being ripped off? You bet!