It is not as if those of us who argue against government mismanagement, lack of forward planning and lack of transparency about the disbursements of Petronas profits from higher oil prices are any less sober than those who argue against fuel subsidies per se. Nor are we necessarily against properly managed withdrawal or reduction of fuel subsidies if there is a corresponding reinvestment into such infrastructure enhancement as public transportation. All this is in fact represented in my article. Reread it.

Not for a moment are we objecting to alternative ways of helping consumers in the longer term or wiser use of public funds. But no matter how reasonable these arguments may be, the question remains: these things have not been done over all these years by the powers that be and so it will take quite a leap of faith to believe that with this latest huge price hike in fuel they are going to do the right thing. The track record up to now does not inspire optimism on my part.

Even the newspapers headlines which says, “Cost cutting to save RM2 billion” provokes anger as the report reveals that all this while ministers and deputy ministers were entitled to paid holidays outside Malaysia and Asean. Just think! Over all these years with such a big cabinet, how much money has already left the nation’s coffers.

Yes, I argue for poorer people who will be the hardest hit by these huge hike in fuel prices. And I say here that none of the measures being proposed will be effective to help them in the immediate or even short term. On target though they may be, what are being proposed as better remedies than fuel subsidies are almost all long-term measures (even if we suspend our doubts about the government’s resolve to help the masses).

Perhaps if more Malaysians will be allowed to show their displeasure and disbelief that this latest round will result in any better use of public funds, the government will take stock that this time round, the rakyat will not let them off so easily.

Viewed from this perspective, I welcome views and recommendations about how best to spend public funds for optimum development and benefit for Malaysians.

But for now, I reiterate that poorer Malaysians need effective help to survive the here and now.

“My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, O LORD ? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

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