Is The Government Not Concerned For The People's Suffering?

IT'S like pouring salt to injury. That is how Malaysians feel now as price and rate increment imposed by the Malaysian government seems to pressure the existing burden faced by Malaysian citizens.

The coming year will be the most challenging, especially for the low and moderate income as price of goods and services increase simultaneously.

After the 13th general election, the government never cease to surprise Malaysians with shocking news when they announced, one after another, price increase in goods and services as well as the removal or reduction of government subsidies.

It started with the reduction of subsidies that lead to the increase of RON95 and diesel by 20 per cent, followed by the removal of sugar subsidy by 34 cents, the increase in electricity tariff by 4.99 sen per kilowatt hour (KWH), the revised rate of gas, LRT and monorail and the current toll rates in 13 highway seems to form a series of price increases.

Previously, the Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof said that there will be a revision on the toll rates structure revision next year.

However, Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar from the Prime Minister's Department dropped the bomb and said the time has come for the toll rates to be increased, given that the concession agreement stated that it (rates) should be reviewed and increased in 2011.

Abdul Wahid also said the hike will be implemented next year, to avoid the sudden rate increase that will further burden the people when the time comes to review the new rates come.

The people felt cheated. Leaders should know and understand how we feel.

This is also the view of World Justice Movement Association's (JUST) president, Dr Chandra Muzaffar, who said the announcement of toll rates increase seems to confuse people even more.

"There's been some confusion over the announcement (on toll rates) as different ministers issued different issued different statements. First someone says (toll rates will be reviewed), then, after a few days, the rates' increase has been confirmed.

"However, let's wait for few more days before any statement was released, because I believe it will be explained in detail," he said when contacted yesterday.

Commenting on the price and rate hikes after the general election, Abdul Wahid considered the increase as necessary to ensure that the economy is secure and also to review the given subsidy especially to high income group.

"The process to rationalise subsidies is necessary for the economic health and this involves subsidy reduction for high earning groups.

"They need to give assistance or subsidy only to the low income groups. It would be unfair that they (high earners) get to enjoy it as well," he said.

Based on a report by the Auditor General, Abdul Wahid argued that both social and economy, the country still experiencing leakage problems, waste and misuse of funds that affects the people.

He said that this action is because of the government's lack of decisive action against those involved and in the end it is the people who are burdened with many rates increase.

"The Secretary-General (Setiausaha Negara) said that they will take action on those involved, but I'm still waiting for it.

"After years of issued audit reports, they eventually forgot what was planned.

"No firm action was taken to dismiss or demote the individuals involved. It doesn't matter who, they must take action on those who caused economic waste and leaks," he told mD, sharing the people's burden because of the attitude of some higher authority.

In a statement, an insensible Abdul Wahid blatantly said road users should choose non-toll roads if they think the toll increase are too high.

According to the Minister in the Prime Minister's office, the toll increase that will begin next year is “reasonable”.

However, that was not how the people feel, in fact, the expected rise in toll rates next year is seen as a complementary package of abuse against the people.

This did not bode well with Umno Youth, who calls Abdul Wahid insensitive for saying that road users can use alternative roads if they feel the toll as expensive.

Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun said he (Abdul Wahid) statement was insensitive towards the people, what with the proposed toll hike for 13 highways, mostly in Selangor, comes at the back of possible public transport fare increase, a 15% rise in electricity tariffs and higher assessment rates for Kuala Lumpur properties, all this fuelling anger among working Malaysians.

Khairul said it is up to the people to choose and Abdul Wahid should not tell the people what they should or should not choose.

Khairul also said that Umno Youth has some suggestions that they feel Putrajaya and toll concessionaires should look into.

Umno Youth suggests that the highway operators reduce toll rates through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

"We understand there's a clause in the agreement which allows the Government to reduce the rate. As we understand, almost all the operators gained a huge profit," said Khairul.

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the price and rate hike affects most Malaysians and wanted this issue to be discussed in the cabinet.

The Umno Youth chief also said the price and rate hikes was caused by planned price hikes that was postponed for years.

Former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, agrees that the decisions taken by the government under the Barisan Nasional (BN) seems to ignore the suffering of the people.

"I agree with the views of the public that BN is not concerned with the people's suffering. The government should do something to ensure that cost of living will not rise sharply.

"This can be done by doing a staged price increase rather than all at once.

"It seems that the Minister is more concerned with the corporate people than the people itself," he said via email to mD, yesterday.

A Disturbing New Year’s Gift

Road user Wilbon Jasni also expressed dissatisfaction after learning that the toll rate will be increased next year.

"Seriously, I was very surprised because at first they said the toll rates will be reviewed. I was somewhat relieved by the news.

"Suddenly I get this as my new year's gift. It's as if the government is ignoring our feelings when they use the excuse that toll rates have not been raised for so long, and they need to do so as contained in the agreement," he moaned.

Mastura Saad, 30, used the Kerinchi Link highway, PLUS and Kajang highway (SILK) as her main route to commute to work considered the news as a new challenge for the coming New Year.

She said; "Although the rise is small, but for highway commuter like me, of course I'll be affected with it and also all the other  price increment."

"SILK is expected to rise by 30 sen rather than RM1... It may sound like a small amount, but on a daily basis, it does take its toll".

Source: http://www.malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/282-main-tile/481904-is-the-government-not-concerned-for-the-people-s-suffering.html