Fuel Price increase by Fool Ministries

Today marked a bleak day for Malaysia. In an unprecedented move by the government, the PM has announced that the fuel price is increased by over 40% for both Petrol and more for Diesel.

The manner it was done certainly leaves a bitter tastes in majority of Malaysian. While drumming the fact that Wednesday June the 4th will be the day where policies are to be agreed and put forward as a preparation for the actual implementation in August, the government has dropped the bomb that the increase takes place almost immediately.

Malaysian from all walks of life reels in anger and despair. Some were even numb even after the day wears on. Scenes of petrol Station in gridlock is played all over the countries while motorist tried their luck to squeeze in the last cheap drops of fuel in their tanks. Many were unsuccesful and a few stations were reported to have changed the price at 11:45pm while some even close their till.

The forums and the blogs were overspilled with outpouring dissatisfaction over the incidents. Over that night, the PM is facing the reporter in a slightly strange jovial mood. Unaware that the impending annoucement is affecting millions of livelyhood across the nation, the PM was not convincing inhis delivery and fielding the question from the jounalist. Later, the Consumer minister did try in vain to expalin the (ir)rational of the move. But it is too late. the damage is done and permanent.

The media mainstream did try to soften the impact by clever editing of the news footage but the avalanche of bad news are too much to hide. The public disdain are already surfacing through all the alternative media.

Personally, I find the rise hard to swallow due to the economic strength of Malaysia and the ability of Petronas to generate revenue as a nett exporter. Quick back of envelope calculation indicate, that the cost of vehicle ownership is already at the highest tier with tax and some form of duty already being paid to the government.

Much questions are being asked now by the public and the government did very little to address them in clear manner.

In all, the government has erred. And the public is paying dearly for it.