Petrol Prices... Subsidies vs. Taxes

Headlines from Malaysia Today: "Malaysians are now paying petrol tax"

What does that mean? And why do I feel mad after reading the news piece?

For a long time, M'sians have been "enjoying" petrol subsidies from the government. Our beloved government tried to cushion the people's burden by ensuring the pump prices are stable. However, after the March '08 general elections, the world crude oil prices shot up and our head honchos got a little nervous.

Since then, a RM 0.30 subsidy has been allocated to show our gomen's "concern" to the burdens of the people.

Did it cushion our countries inflation? NO

Any price increases? YES (however, the PM covered himself by saying the public would not be "too badly affected by price increases")

The guys on top were in hot soup, and had to think of something to do regarding oil prices. Today, our much respected PM said "the Government had kept its promise to reduce petrol prices." Thank their lucky stars that the world oil prices dropped. Referring to the high prices of goods, the wise man blame-shifted "The Government had kept its promise but traders are not doing their part," he said.

Today, world crude oil is priced around RM 55 and our dear minister says that "Even if prices return to RM1.92, we will still have a bit of surplus."

SO WHY ARE PETROL PRICES STILL AT RM2.00???!!! The lame excuse is that it will be returned to the government effectively as a form of tax. From Subsidies to Tax. Now M'sians are being TAXED FOR PETROL!!! Can you see why I'm MAD?!

To refresh our ever forgetful human brains:
- June 5th 2008, when the petrol prices were raised by 78 cents, our eloquent PM said "Our effort is certainly not an attempt to be popular but we try our best to help the people. We cannot satisfy everyone," - I guess they've changed their minds from helping to taxing.

- "Oil firms to stop offering petrol as contest prize" as it was a controlled item and subsidised by taxpayers’ money. - Shahrir Samad, September 9, 2008. So now, since we are taxed for petrol, is it OK to offer petrol as contest prize???

- Remember the RM 625 rebate? "Pos Malaysia getting RM30m in commission" - I guess we know who's the happy camper here. Btw, some people say that Khairy and the 4th floor boys has a hand here.

Graph taken from MalaysiaKini website. Please subscribe to their news portal!

Snippets

Petrol Price in Malaysia is Down on 15th October 2008
As you are aware by now, the petrol prices dropped midnight yesterday. The current crude oil price at $73.61 seems like its dropping daily. The next question people are asking are are the food prices going down? Is the cost of living gonna drop too?


Who the heck is YB J?
On the 12th October 2008, there was a 'fictional' story written by Chamil Wariya and published in Utusan Malaysia about an MP called YB Josephine (YB J), who is:
- presumably Chinese
- accused of being anti-Islam & anti-Malay
- most likely from a opposition party (People's Action Party)
- afraid that her home may be petrol-bombed
- accused of wanted to change the road names in Jawi to Chinese

Finally in the end she is killed by a person from her same race, revolver bullet to the chest, piercing her heart. The killer then killed himself after. There was a note in the killer's possession that said:

"YB Josephine adalah ancaman terhadap keharmonian. Lebih baik riwayatnya ditamatkan supaya masyarakat berbilang kaum boleh tinggal aman damai di negara bertuah ini. Saya berkorban untuk masa depan."

Who is YB Josephine? Is there a meaning/purpose to this story? Or is it just for entertainment and is purely fictional in nature?

I feel sick.


Mitsubishi Lancer GT
Yesterday morning, I saw a nice grey Mitsu Lancer GT with gun metal rims while on the way to work (Jalan Tun Razak). Looks awesome:

Going, going DOWN!

Going UP:
- Inflation jumps UP to a 27-year high.
- Prices of food and stuff went UP.
- Interested rates went UP.

Going DOWN:
- Stock markets are going DOWN
- Our beloved currency is going DOWN (weakening). Peg or no peg?
- Confidence/transparency/freedom/trust in the ruling government is going DOWN (since March 8th)

However, we do have some good news, that if the average prices of crude oil stay below USD $104 we should see a further reduction on petrol prices, said our Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad. Source: Paul Tan

Breaking News - Petrol Price Down RM 0.10 (Midnight tonight)

Its official (from MalaysiaKini) that pump price is at RM 2.45

I just filled up on Monday evening. Dang! Could have saved RM 4-5 bucks.

I had dinner at the SS2 Indomie mamak where I ordered my favourite "Kum Heong Kai" dish (Its chicken with onions, dried prawns and black sauce). The price went up by 50 cents to RM 5.50 (sad)

Finally some good news, compared to the drama politics that we've been having.

Pump Prices & Permatang Pauh not linked.

1. Pump Prices and Permating Pauh are not linked together. Petrol and Politics don't mix. They all just happen to begin with the alphabet "P".

Every Hairy, Dick.. and Tom in the government is saying that the petrol price was dropped earlier is due to steep rise in inflation rate & lower global oil prices.

"Abdullah said the decision was made after taking into account the fall in the world fuel price in recent weeks and the steep rise in the inflation rate last month... The decision is also based on the current economic development"
- TheMalaysianInsider -

When they raised the petrol prices, I wonder whether they forecasted inflation to go up, or did they "hope" that M'sian economy is solid and will not be affected by minor changes in petroleum subsidies...

The frequency of the oil prices review has also changed from 1 month, to 15 days, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, link = Malaysian Insider. This was decided on Friday's cabinet meeting.


2. Najib: "..the people must understand that for every litre, the price was subsidised 30 sen" TheStar

On top of the subsidy, there is a (one time or yearly?) birthday present of RM 625 for engines below 2k cc. According to Najib, this birthday present will subsidise about 35-40 cents a liter. However, please read Paul Tan to get some real life perspective on Najib's allegation.

Initially, Gomen intelligence (or lack of) assumes that M'sians use an average of 66 liters of petrol a month. Najib now assumes we use about 148 liters a month. To me the latter is a better estimation, as my kancil is a little less that 148 liters, but the X20 definitely drinks more than 148 liters a month.

The bottomline is, petrol subsidy is a privilege, not a right. The people must understand this and appreciate the Gomen for their kindness and mercy in giving the people a RM0.30 subsidy. You don't like? then get out of here la...


3. August 26th is a Special Holiday in Penang. MalaysiaKini

The EC (Election Commission) set August 26th as Permatang Pauh's by-election date. A Tuesday. Normal people like me, go to work on Tuesdays. Does anyone know why the EC chose Tuesday, and not Saturday? Its puzzling. Genius or influenced by "powers-that-be"?

I think Pakatan Rakyat knows if everyone votes, BN will lose. So they conveniently declared August 26th a special state holiday. Genius or an abuse of power?

Washing and Blogging

Its been a while since I blogged. Two reasons. Work and work.

Anyway, I washed, polished, and waxed the X20 at Midvalley Shine Shine car wash last Monday, under a membership package. The package entitles super cheap wash and wax at almost 20 outlets nationwide. There's supposed to be an outlet at D'sara Uptown and D'sara Perdana... but these were handwritten on the list, with the initials G.S.C. I still haven't found the G.S.C shop yet :(

I also washed the car by myself on Saturday morning, using water and lotsa love. It looked like it was gonna rain in the afternoon, but thank God it didn't. Anyway, there was a slight drizzle today.

Since I haven't been blogging, my blog stats took a dive:



There are still mortals out there, who are searching for "Hyundai Elantra X20" and finding this blog. Welcome, all you who seek more knowledge on this wonderful car. Look no further, and consider no more. Place your booking now. I wonder if you can get RM 625 if you buy a car now. However, I doubt it...

Anyway, on unrelated issues, POS Malaysia, the agent of the government to dispense the RM 625 doesn't know how much they will be paid to do it yet. But no one asks the question of who benefits from the RM 625 payout by the government.

Protest to reduce petrol prices. Back Home.

We tried to get the red t-shirts and the red protest bandanna, but they were all sold out. However, we managed to get white bandannas and a red Protest car sticker after the event. It was royally jammed up, to get out of the Kelana Jaya stadium area. So we hung around the stalls outside the stadium for a while.

Back home, a husband and wife team photo:

Protest to reduce petrol prices. Protes sampai turun (minyak)

Warning. This is a politically related posting. If this is not relevant to u- pls leave now. I did mention that I won't blog about politics, but this isn't about politics... its about the survival of our nation... haha... here goes...

Posting live frm kelana jaya stadium on maxis 3g frm my nokia E65.

Reached around 8.30pm. The stadium was only trickling with people. Now, its abt a quarter full with people. Dr. Hatan Ramli just have his fiery speech on "turun turun... harga minyak... turun, turun... turun pak lah".




Initially, there were only 2 flood lights that were switched on. However, Chegubard requested "kerjasama" from the stadium technicians to turn on ALL the flood lights (there were 4 in total). And open sesame... all came on.


Slowly the crowd filled the stadium...


This was taken from where we were seated. Not too bad view, as we came on time.


Update 1: YB Lim Kit Siang came in with sounds of kompangs. Another fella also came in with kompangs. Maybe its Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI). Btw, Chegubard chaired the event.

Update 2: No, it was not DSAI. Coz when he arrived at the stadium, Kit Siang's speech was brought to a halt by the crowd. They all stood up and started chanting "Reformasi, Reformasi...". Lim Kit Siang spoke about about few key points. Judiciary, corruption, justice, etc.

After Kit Siang, Anwar came out to speak, everyone stood up to cheer.


My first video posting on YouTube:


This pic is a little blur, showing the some guys flying the DAP and Keadilan flags walking through the crowd. There were banners, flags and slogans everywhere. Too many to snap.


The media was rubbing shoulders to get a nice shot of DSAI in action. He talked about alot of things, and his oratory skills are far better than our PM or DPM. Await his speech on YouTube. But some highlights were:
- asking the Main Stream Media, "Don't waste time covering this event" LOL~!
- when refering to his wife, "...Azizah yang COMEL."
- he will debate will the PM -or- the PM AND the deputy PM together -or- if they're not available, the ministers (information)


At a corner, a few kids were having some fun at the high jump pad.


I wasn't wearing the official colour (red), so I only took a picture of my shadow.

More X20's on the road

Sunday afternoon near Sea View restaurant in Sea Park. Spotted this Saphire Silver X20 looking for parking as well. Looks like this car is populating our Klang Valley streets!

Too bad the petrol price is a major discouragement for our 2.0 liter car. Someone on the forum is looking to cancel/transfer his X20 booking. *sigh*

More reason to support Pakatan Rakyat. I hope whoever leads this country is God fearing. That's all the politics I'm gonna talk about.

Btw, talking about petrol prices and critising our leaders for stupid remarks is not being 'political'... in case you're wondering.