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Govt Makes Brave, Unpopular Decision In Face Of Twin Crises - Khairy |
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Posted by kasee
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Tuesday, 24 June 2008 01:08 |
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A government backbencher Monday said the country had never faced two crises simultaneously, which were the oil and food price hikes, and as such the government had to make an economic decision that was brave and unpopular.
Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) said the restructuring of the fuel subsidy by the government was a responsible and honest decision that had a positive effect within a short time, besides being fair.
"The fuel price hike is also not unprecedented as alleged by the member from Bagan. From 1996 to 2008, the world crude oil price has risen by 600 percent but only 145 percent in Malaysia," he said when debating the motion on price increases in the Dewan Rakyat Monday.
He also agreed that Petronas should be more transparent so that the people would not have any misgivings about the national petroleum company.
Khairy, who is also Umno Youth deputy chief, disagreed with the suggestion by Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan), who wanted Petronas to use commercial airplanes instead of having private jets to save on fuel expenses.
"This is because Petronas needs to use its jets to go to countries like Kazakhstan, Iran and others to explore for new oil wells.
"Don't make a suggestion that is so simplistic and childish," said Khairy.
He said comparing Malaysia as an oil producer with Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and other oil-producing nations was also unfair as these countries had a much higher production than Malaysia.
Khairy also suggested that the levy received from independent power producers by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) be channelled directly to reduce consumers' electricity tariff.
He also slammed the opposition's suggestion that the government they hoped to form after Sept 16 could reduce the fuel price as this would only raise the budget deficit and caused the nation to borrow money.
He said when the country borrowed money, it would cause its credit rating to drop and would lead to conventional banks not lending money.
"The international 'along' is the International Monetary Fund (IMF). I believe this is a trick to achieve (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim)'s struggle and be a puppet of the IMF and borrow money from it," he said.
At this juncture, Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) stood up and angrily referred to the parliamentary Standing Order and asked that his sitting be changed as he was not given a chance to speak although he stood up earlier than others.
"This is the Standing Order. If not, I will throw this book. Under the Standing Order, whoever stands first must be given the chance to speak.
"Although I am an independent member, I had been a two-term member of parliament and can be considered a senior. I should not be ignored although I am an independent member," he said.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar replied: "I hear, YB."
Lim, when debating the motion, also suggested that the government channel RM500 a month to each poor family using Petronas' profits as a measure to lighten their burden following the rise in the price of fuel and goods.
"Petronas has received more than RM570 billion in profits since its formation and from that amount, more than 60 percent has been channelled to the federal government. Why can't the government give each Malaysian family RM6,000 a year or RM500 monthly?" he asked.
Datuk Mohamed Abdul Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) said Lim's suggestion was unrealistic and could confuse the people.
"I understand our (the government's) total income is RM168 billion. From that amount, RM40 billion is for development, RM48 billion for management, RM35 billion for education and RM11 billion for health. After subtracting this, the balance of RM7 billion is distributed to 29 ministries.
"Does it make sense if we give each family RM6,000? Let us be realistic a bit so as not to confuse the people," he said when interrupting the debate. - BERNAMA
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The Blogs 
Hahaha, now tell me... Making me laugh this government backbencher. Such crises .... This is not first time such a decision (brave and unpopular) was done. There are many brave and unpopular decisions by the government in recent years lah .... 