Fuelling the Economy

I just wonder how many qualified economists we have in the Malaysian Cabinet.
The way some people are talking it seems that a lot of talk can make basic economics go away.

Looking at the latest fuel increase of 30sen per liter it is really quite inevitable that the prices of goods will definitely rise.

How many thousands of Malaysians are small businessmen who struggle to make ends meet as petty traders, working 12 hours a day six or even seven days a week?

They receive no government assistance to provide their children with a good education so that they can get a better life compared to the drudgery that their parents endure.
More than likely they can be victimised by government officials who try to milk them for petty offences.
Even if stallholders do not increase their selling prices for the meal they will definitely cut down on ingredients and the final portion.

I am sure that many thousands of office workers are already subsisting on skimped meals like just eating a roti canai and gravy for lunch. So how do these people cut down on expenses?

Maybe we expect them to train their bodies so that going out in the sunshine during lunch and performing some simple deep breathing will be good for their health? After all fresh air and sunshine is still free in Malaysia.

Not so the latest promotion for the Formula 1 Grand Prix Gala Dinner that is being organised by PETRONAS. They had a full page advert proclaiming “the event of the year” for the rich and famous with a table for ten costing RM20,000 minimum. Do you reckon any of us hoi polloi can cut our expenses so we can afford such a dinner?

I wonder how many free tickets will be given away by PETRONAS? Even if they have to sponsor ten tables at RM30,000 it hardly makes an impression in their reserves.

Civil servants of course do not have to suffer for too long. Three months before the next general elections, they will receive generous pay increments.

photo: late evening in Australian outback