This article is taken from the Sun, Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA: Against a backdrop of anger and frustration as the people come to grips with the new high prices for fuel, the cabinet yesterday decided that there will no further price hikes this year to allow the people time to adjust to to the situation.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government is aware of the consequences should the price rocket upwards in the world market, but it will maintain its decision and find other means to bear the additional expenses.

On June 4, the government had decided that subsidy for petrol be fixed at 30 sen per litre, and that there would be a monthly review based on world prices.

Because of this formula, petrol price went up 78 sen to RM2.70 per litre, while diesel went up by RM1 to RM2.58.

“However, the price on the world market increased drastically to more than USD130 per barrel on June 8 and is expected to be higher in the coming months,” Abdullah said.

“This resulted in petrol price in the local market increasing to RM3.45 per litre. If the government were to implement the 30 sen subsidy, the price of petrol would have to be raised from RM2.70 to RM3.15 per litre next month.”

Although the 30-sen buffer will not be used for the rest of the year should crude prices rise further, he said it will be used if world prices drop. This would cause the present pump prices to drop.

Abdullah assured that the government is “thinking of all kinds of additional measures because we know the price increase is high and everyone, including the government, is facing difficulties, not only the people”.

Asked whether the government’s revenue will be affected by the decision, he said: “Since the price of petrol has increased, we could hope to get additional revenue from Petronas.”

At the press conference, Abdullah also announced another move to help civil servants better manage their household expenses and cash flow — their salary will be paid in two instalments effective August.

“The first half will be paid in the middle of the month and the rest at the end of the month. Deductions such as for income tax, Employees Provident Fund and others will be done at the end of the month,” he said.

Asked whether he would recommend the private sector do the same, he said: “I see this as a good move to help our workers manage their household cash flow better.”

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Blah, blah, blah. Pak Lah stop lying to us. I’m not convinced that you will not raise the petrol price. The cabinet also announced that the petrol price will be raised in August. But what happened after that? SURPRISE, SURPRISE! 70 cent per litre hit us in our face a few days after.

I bet, after this, you will still come out with the lame speech “I’m sorry, the government can no longer support to give more subsidy, etc etc. I am forced to take back my words. You people should stop whining and adapt, yadda, yadda, and I’m off to oversea to hide will my beloved assitants will have my actions explained to you in awhile”

 Nevermind that, Pak Lah. You are the most powerful person in Malaysia now. All that come out from your mouth is like a deity’s words. We, the citizens, will have to follow whether we like it or not, unless we want BPR come knocking at our doors, or we want a free honeymoon trip in the forever lovely ISA!

Sorry to break it to you, dear PM. But the people are not only the ones who are suffering the current state of economy. Malaysian infrastructure development, economy and welfare  are suffering he impact too. Malaysia itself is going down, and is struggling to climb up. And, pray tell, how are we going to attract foreign investors and tourists to generate income when all the government talks about is religion, religion, religion? You are going to scare off the big boys in the west, or is this your true intentions? Only welcoming the Islamic countries to invest in us? Good move. Soon we will have the rest of the world shunning us for only giving benefits to the Middle East countries.

Seriously, when we talk about business, leave the religion out of it. Show them what Malaysia have to offer, emphasize on technological exchange as well as the advantage of investing in Malaysia.  Know this: “Make your neighbour rich, they will make you richer. Make your people rich, you can earn more tax”. If the government continue to bully the citizens into poverty, what are there left for us to contribute? Yea, we still have  things left to contribute, and that is more problems and headaches for you!