COMMENT I am going to try to make some politicians who rule the country understand. But I have to speak their lingo and use the word "grateful".

The ministers in charge of raising the prices of goods, namely petrol as of two days ago, must be "grateful" that they are ruling Malaysia and Malaysians and not any other country or any other people.

They must be "grateful" that Malaysians are a calm and collected people and not easily aroused by an increment of 20 sen.

They should be"grateful" that they still can walk in the streets peacefully, even after the price hike.

They should be "greatful" they can make speeches such as those by Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Hasan Malek ( right ).

"Our culture must revert to one of respecting leaders, respecting the nation and to be grateful for our success," Hassan had said.

They should be "grateful" that they - the ministers - can still walk peacefully among the crowd of people even after statements from Hasan saying that the government cannot guarantee there will be no more future surge in fuel prices.

When price rise, people follow?

The point is, they should be "grateful" that Malaysians have not screamed loud enough and slammed on their brakes when the price for fuel went up by 40 sen in a span of 12 months.

For that means another hike in everything else, for everything needs transport and all transport vehicles either use RON 95 or diesel, and the price of both have increased.

You see, if the leaders do what they are doing to Malaysians in any other country, it is likely the people would have risen and been out on the streets.

We are a very peaceful people and we are a very "accepting" lot. Even those who love demonstrations and protests and gatherings of more than three.

I was once caught up in massive strikes and protests in India, when the Keralite government announced a 10 paise increase in electricity tariffs. (In local currency, 10 paise equals half a sen, an almost negligible amount.)

What was supposed to be a 6-hour bus ride from Canannore, Kerala, to Bangalore in neighbouring Karnataka, ended up as an 18-hour trek through the hilly roads, and mind you, there are no R&Rs on those paths, just sheds for toilets and stalls for food.

Farmers had blocked the roads with tractors and lorries and all over the place, groups of people were marching in protest.

The whole state had gone haywire over a mere 10 paise increase.

The police and the people clashed, and the very next day, the government lowered back the tariff.

Apparently, it was not the first time and it would not be the last for the Indian subcontinent.

Speaking of buying power

Again, in Egypt in 2012, after President Mubarak's downfall, when they increased the bread price by 10 kirsch (something like 10 sen here).

It was like riot the way the people stormed the bread shops and demanded they bring down the price or give it away for free.

The authorities in charge then subsidised the bread after a few days for those who hold ration cards.

Yes, the authorities would say these are poorer countries, and people have everything here, and the people would not do as they did in Egypt and India.

The authorities would say that in those countries, the people do not earn enough and that the people there will fight for small things.

My dear ministers and authorities in charge, bear in mind, the way the prices are being raised by you, very soon, we too will have the same buying power as those in India and Egypt.

We too will soon be demanding our rights when we realise that even if we earn thousands, the food bill comes up to thousands too to feed a family.

We, too, would soon rise to demand our rights when the hike starts scorching our pockets.

So, to the ministers and authorities in charge, be "grateful" for now, for you are in Malaysia and among Malaysians who have yet to feel the heat.

You, the ministers, have to be "grateful". Not we the citizens.

ZAKIAH KOYA is a member of the Malaysiakini team.