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Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the current petrol price and bus fare increase causing anxiety among Malaysians. 3 October 2000

Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the current petrol price and bus fare increase causing anxiety among Malaysians. 3 October 2000

On 16 October 2000, Dr Tan shall propose a motion:

That this House will discuss factors causing inflation in this country especially after the international crude oil price going up to RM37 a barrel and the Cabinet decision to allow increase in the pump price of petrol. This House will also debate the actual state of inflation and the ways to overcome it.

Now, the Malaysian Government allows petrol price increase by 10 sen, raising to RM1.20 a litre in Peninsular Malaysia, RM1.18 Sabah and RM1.19 Sarawak. This is followed by adjustment in the price of diesel and liquefied petroleum gas, LPG. The price hike makes Malaysians unhappy.

The Government insists that it subsidizes petrol byRM3.1 billion this year. Nevertheless, it should realize that Malaysians are still suffering from the economic crisis that began in July 1997.

No sooner had the Finance Ministry announced the increase in the price of petrol. The Minister for Entrepreneur Development Datuk Nazri made public on 1 October 2000 that Kuala Lumpur was divided into four zones with different bus fares starting from 15 October 2000. This is a fare increase in disguise. Previously, within an area, a single ticket was 90 sen with air condition and 70 sen without. In two weeks' time, to go from one area to another, the fare will be from RM1.20 to RM2.00. For instance, Kepong is in Zone 4 where the fare will be RM2.00.

The Government states that it will improve the monitoring mechanism on the price of goods and warns business people against an unreasonable increase in price. The media report today that the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs has sent more than 700 personnel to inspect the price of goods in various areas.

Before the price of other goods goes up, Datuk Nazri has sanctioned the zonal increase in bus fare in Kuala Lumpur. Then, there will be increase in price of other goods. This is inflation that raises the cost of living. So, we expect workers to ask for a bigger salary to cope with the burden.

Parliament is the most august legislative body in Malaysia. Hence, it is important that the subject of inflation is debated in the House. However, we hope that the Government Members of Parliament will support the motion.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw