The Impact of Petrol Price Increase/ 燃油涨价：政府须正视人民的诉求

国际石油价格不断暴涨，自去年5月以来涨幅高达100％。石油价格不断攀升，在经济市场掀起骨牌效应，百物涨价是必然的现象，无论是工业或住家用户都不能免受冲击。虽然油价调升是大势所趋，但让我感到失望的是，政府的燃油补贴政策却无法真正使低收入群受惠。我国近年来的油棕、橡胶等原产出口行情高涨，政府其实可以将这方面的收入用在各项大限度惠利民众的措施，缓和人民所承受的涨价压力。

去年的今天，石油价格涨至每桶60至70美元。今天，每桶石油已飙升至135美元。国际石油价格每涨一美元，作为原油出口国之一的大马每年就能赚取2亿5千万令吉。以这两年的石油行情来推算，国油公司应该大唱丰收，而政府应该拥有绝对足够的流动资源，为低收入民众实施现金补贴。

我国新燃油价格每公升从RM1.92仙调升至RM2.70（涨40％），虽然车主将享有625令吉现金回扣，但却微薄得很。如今国能已率先发出电费涨价的警告，面对种种的涨价负担，每年1千500令吉现金回扣才算合理。燃油涨价肯定牵一发动全身，生产、物运、销售成本水涨船高，两年前一碗粿条RM3.00，今天至少卖RM3.80或RM4.00。民怨已沸腾，在生活费指数沦为主要的政治课题以前，政府必须有所行动。人民接着将留意和观察政府如何应付通膨。若处理不当势必触怒全民，而在未来流失更多选票。

我一直认为大马政府增建过多和超支预算的基建设施。许多小学、中学和大学校舍、新诊所和医院规模庞大外观形同度假村，不切实际。政府冀建造宏伟建筑物来讨好人民，却忽略了服务的本质。以医药保健领域为例，医疗服务的素质才是致胜因素。这是为何在我担任卫长期间，没有接纳建议和批准增建新的中央医院。相反的，我把部门获得的拨款和资源用来提升和改善现有的医院及诊所基建、增设特定疾病护理中心如洗肾中心、增置必需仪器和医务人员培训。我认为，人民要的是高效和有素质的医疗服务，而非富丽堂皇的医院。因此，政府必须严正看待这项弊病，加以纠正以免平白浪费公帑。

我们寄望政府能落实更多新颖但实际、体恤民意的政策，以协助人民抗涨价和通膨冲击。

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The much awaited announcement has finally arrived. Petrol price at the international market have gone up by 100% since May last year. Everyone has to bite the bullet because of the increase of petrol and its impact on all industries and household. However, I’m disappointed that government’s subsidy to the lower income group is a bit too little to tie them over the increase cost of living. The government should be able to do more with the increased revenue from petroleum and export of other commodities – oil palm and rubber.

Last year at this time, petrol was hovering at about US$60 – 70 per barrel. Today, it has gone up to US$135 per barrel. For every US one dollar increase in oil at international market, Malaysia as an exporting country will get RM250 million per year. There should be a bumper profit for Petronas last year and this year and the government should be able to subsidize the lower income group in terms of cash. Presently, cash rebate of RM625 works out to be only about RM52 per month which is a pittance, considering that petrol price having gone up from RM1.92 per litre to RM2.70 (40%). A cash rebate of at least RM1500 per year would be a more appropriate figure since Malaysians have to face higher electricity tariff. With it, there is definitely increase in cost of production, cost of goods both essential and non essential will definitely go up. Two years ago, a bowl of kuay teow costs about RM3.00 but it has now increased to RM3.80/4.00.

So, the government needs to do more before the cost of living becomes a major political issue. Rakyat will be watching how government will tackle inflation. Failure to address this issue which hits all Malaysian and cost the government a lot of good will and votes from the rakyat. I always feel that the Malaysia government overbuilt and over budgeted on building of infrastructure. A lot of primary schools, secondary schools and universities, new clinics and hospitals look like resort. The government wants to impress the rakyat with imposing buildings, forgetting that in the case of healthcare, it is the quality of services that counts. This explained why during my tenure as a Minister, I would never consider building a new general hospital but maximize and make the best use of the limited resources to upgrade the existing healthcare facilities, equipments and trainings. Government must start somewhere to curb this wastage to avoid it becoming worse and more public fund goes to waste.

We can only hope that the government can come out with more innovative and caring policies and strategies to assist the rakyat that are affected by the increase of petrol price and inflation.