Fuel Subsidy is Just One Leg of the Millipede

Not everyone is critical of the government’s decision to remove RM4.4billion of the subsidy.

This letter states why the PM has taken such a difficult decision and suggests that future generations will prove him a great leader.

Leadership is about taking difficult decisions that may not be popular but are necessary for the long-term progress of the nation.

Malaysia definitely faces serious long-term problems as indicated by various crises in the following:

1. Education system that produces tens of thousands of unemployable graduates.

2. Struggle to attract FDI that goes to other developing countries in the region.

3. Breakdown of basic safe living environment caused by flooding, poor drinking water.

4. Loss of human capital to developed countries. Hundreds of doctors on government scholarships can even refuse to come home.

5. Police and other public service departments need to improve service to the public.

Many of these problems are the accumulated excesses of the NEP that has been carried on for more than 35 years without a critical review.

Even PETRONAS with its secret dealings can be considered a potential for grave evil as no one except the directors and the PM know how the monies are being spent and no one is telling.

It seems that the NEP too has been privatised or I prefer piratised so that only the few connected to high places get all the nice plum contracts while the ordinary folks get only crumbs, if any.

Removing fuel subsidies can educate the masses to become less dependent on the government but it is more important to remove the “crutch mentality” of the so-called captains of industry that cannot make a ringgit unless they receive a privileged contract.

Photo: http://www.swva.net/fred1st/millipede.jpg