PM: I know you're angry

By MERGAWATI ZULFAKAR and V.P.SUJATA

PUTRAJAYA: Admitting he was aware that people were angry over the Government’s decision to increase fuel prices, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he would announce soon measures to lessen the burden of those adversely affected.

The Prime Minister said the Government had to make a decision, which it knew was not going to be popular. But, he added, it was an action that could not be avoided.

“People are angry. Yes, I know,” he said when launching the Public Complaints Bureau’s public opinion polls at the Putrajaya Convention Centre here yesterday.

”It is not something that the Government derives pleasure from. But it is our responsibility to determine the best action during a certain time.

“However, I am also aware there are those who are exploiting the issue for political mileage.

“The Government is responsible for ensuring that the effects of the increase on the public will not be adverse.”

Asked later at a press conference, the Prime Minister declined to reveal the measures or when they would be announced.

“We have yet to decide whether to make the announcement before or after the tabling of the Ninth Malaysia Plan,” he added.

Abdullah said he was also aware of websites and poison-pen letters that were distorting facts about the price increase.

“The poison-pen letters which I have read are completely untrue. The opposition parties are clearly exploiting the fuel price increase for political gain.”

Regarding Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) proposal to increase electricity tariffs, the Prime Minister said that while the Government understood TNB’s reason for seeking an increase, it would have to think carefully how this would affect the people.

“We have not made any decision yet. We need to think of the effects on the people, especially at this moment,” he said.

“It was the same thing when we decided to reduce the fuel subsidy. Fuel prices would rise but we determined the amount of increase so that we could cushion the impact a bit.”

On the sharing of domestic routes between Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, Abdullah said it had not been finalised. The Transport Minister and the two airlines would make another presentation to him before a final decision was made.

 

Let me say this to you Pak Lah

By Alex Tiam

The oil price hike  effect us all, especially Malaysian who are from the medium class and the lower income group. Now you are saying that the government will take steps to lessen the burden of those adversely effect.

Why now, why not think first before announcing the drastic increase. Are you not aware that the drastic increase of 30 cent will shoot prices of all goods and services.

Are you saying that small trader, bus operator, food stall and other patty' traders will now have to subsidies the Malaysian by absorbing the oil price hike .

Those people have to increase their price. Cost of transportation and other cost of living increases - reasonably they should not be the one to carry the burden.

Till now the only real explanation that I received from you are, the action of increasing the price cannot be avoided - WHY? Is Petronas losing? Is the government actually running out of money?

Ask by reporter, according to the STAR - what are the measure that will be taken by the government to lessen the burden of Malaysian, Pak Lah refuse to reveal the measure that will be taken.

I'll ensure the Malaysia - Pak Lah has got no idea on how to lessen the burden of Malaysians due to the price hike on oil.

Now Pak Lah is saying that opposition is are exploiting the issue for political mileage, well you have given then a reason.

Now the price has increase. The government will not be able to stop other goods from increasing. It is unfair for then to pay subsidies replacing the government. For you Pak Lah keep looking where is Ghazali for I am quite sure, you disappoint Malaysian who vote for the feel good PM.

Nak tolong apa Pak Lah
Mohd Saiful Khamis

Pak Lah nak bantu ringankan beban kita. Lepas dia naikkan harga dia umum nak bantu mereka yang menderita sebab kenaikkan harga. Apa punya cerita yang Pak Lah nak bawa ini.

Rakyat di desak terus bersama - sama bantah kenaikkan minyak ini
Mat Petronas

Kita terus hentam Pak Lah dan kabinet valentine nya seperti yang Sang Kelembai kata. Kita teruskan demo, jangan takut sehingga Pak Lah bertindak berani untuk mengurangkan kembali harga minyak.