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The Malaysian Governmet's Anti-inflation Measures Are Inadequate Against The Current Inflationary Pressure. Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the continued inflationary pressure such as petrol price hike, and now telephone charges. 17 August 2000 | |||||||
| The continued Malaysian capital control and the current inflationary pressure are causing concern. The Cabinet has approved petrol price increase with as yet no specified amount. Now, there is a media report to restructure telephone charges. Other include the Malaysian Airlines System, MAS's application for 50% increase in domestic fares. The increase in electricity charges may then follow. Despite the Fianance Minister's belief that the Cabinet approval of petrol price increase would not lead to inflation, Malaysians do not agree. Once transport cost goes up, the price of other goods will follow. Apparently, Telekom Malaysia intends to restructure telephone charges. The Government would have to confirm whether the media report is true. It seems that telephone charges in rural areas may be reduced and those in urban areas increased. As most telephone lines are in urban areas, this increase in telephone charges, if approved, will cause further furore. The Government gives the reason of RM1.5 billion a year to subsidize foreign and local companies to maintain petrol prices for its approval of the petrol price hike. We do not know what excuse will the Government give if it grants Telekom Malaysia the request to increase telephone charges. It is only right that the Domestic Trade and Consumer | |
Affairs Ministry plays a more active part to ensure that no companies including privatized companies such as Telekom increase their charges without any regards for the consumers. While the ministry continues to monitor the prices of all the controlled items, it should step up its efforts to supervise privatized companies like Telekom and Tenaga Nasional Berhad. The Government's policy on distributive trade is also important in controlling prices. There is a rapid increase in the number of shoppers in supermarkets and hypermarkets, increasing by perhaps one or two folds. The Government should announce the study on the impact of hypermarkets on the distributive trade. Although most Malaysians still go to sundry or provision shops, wet markets, farmers' markets and night markets, we do not know how these will be affected by the hypermarkets. How will the trend affect inflation? The Task Force on Essential Goods and the Special Panel on Building Materials monitor all essential goods to ensure adequate supply at reasonable prices. It would have to step up its efforts. Meanwhile, the Cabinet must take into consideration the millions of consumers who are still reeling from the economic crisis. The increase in petrol, telephone and electricity charges will have serious effects on the people.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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