KAJANG, 5 June 2008 - There are a few issues that begs to be answered by the sudden hike in fuel price. Firstly, why was the matter handled so poorly by the government. One minute it was August and then it was.."we will review and look into proper mechanisms" and then SMACK it was announced at 6pm Wednesday 4 June 2008 that prices will increase by 78 sens effective midnight resulting in utter chaos!One of the most badly managed PR exercise ever!
What is shocking is the lack of understanding and sensitivity by the government on the implications of this to the mass. How exactly are people supposed to afford the new prices and continue to have a DECENT living? decent meaning - access to proper health, security and nutrition when all these will escalate in price?So, are babies having to cut down their dosage of milk in a day and replace it with water?are children going to be fed unhealthy but filling empty carbohydrates because parents can't afford healthy food? are people suppose to walk 10km to work, since public transportation are amazingly unreliable? are children having to be neglected of parental care because parents will have to take on 2nd or 3rd jobs to make ends meet? Did anyone in our flippin' cabinet think of these???
Secondly, the fact that we are being held hostage by a global market that is ruthless and inhumane. Petrol companies are reaping gazillions on future profits while people literally suffer. I am imagining that someone/people out there are gleefully sitting on their expensive leather chairs counting money while people are going hungry and businesses going bankrupt! So whats the plan? it's not like oil per barrel went up to US$135 overnight, it has been constantly increasing since the Iraq invasion and no one in government even thought of coming up with a plan? this is just too ridiculous!!
So what do we do, by August we will be paying the full amount regardless whether the Rakyat are ready to face the onslaught or not. So if you feel that this has been badly managed and the government is not doing enough, that people will suffer tremendously including yourself and/or your loved ones and that you believe that we have to start fighting back against this monstrous petro industry? then join the July 12 rally coz i know i will.....
