GOODS' PRICE - A CRY of a RURAL-BASED Consumer

Before reads further, please strictly informed that Gold Arawana is not trying to challenge others on this issue, and the newspaper cutting attached are the information being bought by Gold Arawana (through the newspaper) for sharing with others. It is just an evidence that everybody is crying for this issue to be solved. As a consumer, like all of you...I have my own perseption on this issue...

Now continue....

A cartoon series in a local newspaper. You are correct.........

It was another shock to the Malaysian when the ruling Government announce the hiking of fuel price just a few weeks (maybe days, I cannot remember) after the first shock on the result of 11th general election. The highest increased of fuel price in Malaysian history.

Every newspaper busy publishing on the good news of reducing the fuel price by the Government. Everybody is happy about this, except the Goods' Price.

Malaysian Domestic Trade and Consumer Affair Minister, through his first term appointment as the minister, Datuk Shahrir Samad keeps consoling publics on the global volatile of fuel price. And he was very confident that this new price will not affect prices of goods and services. In fact, most of our humble ministers support that the price hike is to release the burden of the Government.

Before midnight, cars queue up to feed their car before the hiking of 40% of the Malaysian fuel price. And the next day, most of the goods, foods, services and transport increased their price even more than 40%. The consumers have nothing much to say, not more than just suffer and hope... Almost everything, including the public transport that was clearly informed and warned by the Government that action will be taken to those who increased their fare.

Peoples gives their own theory, either false or wrong should not judge by personnal feelings. They are consumers as well, and they should be encourage to talk... So, dont blame them, they are using their rights............

After a few months, the Government decreased the fuel price, a very unusual or perhaps the first time in Malaysian history. It should be written in the Malaysian Book of Records. And again, and again until the final decreased for RM 2.15 per liter for petrol. The Malaysian, including me is happy, although some say that it was just another political fishing. Come on friends, the price has decreased, than shut down your mouth…

The hypermarkets and supermarkets in cities has show the example. So now is the time to expand it to smaller town and smaller traders, please............

But the biggest trail that Malaysian shouting off, was actually not to the fuel itself, but its effect to the goods and services and even construction. As a rural-born, I was pity to the friends, relatives, who stay at a very rural area. Some are still using the river as their only mode of transportation. They even not entitle to claim rebate for their boats! Moreover, they have to pay the price two or three folds higher than what we pay at supermarket for their routine goods. Again, this pity peoples are the strong supporters to the government. They want to say something, but speechless. What a pity!

The consumers are keep waiting... No answer yet, and con

As for those who live in urban area, almost all the newspaper is begging to the traders and suppliers to low down their price. The goods’ price was bouncing because of fuel price, so now what is the problem? But still, the traders and suppliers not care about it, giving thousands of reasons. And again, consumers have to suffer…

The consumers dont care on who should speak on their behalf, either opposition or ruling parties. Any suggestions should not take as politic issues, the election has gone, the Malaysian has shown their mindon their votes. what the consumers want is the end results...

This few weeks, Datuk Shahrir Samad said that he predict that the goods price will be reduced to normal in 5 months. Haiyoooo.!!!! 5 Months is not a short term, I can save a lot inside my ASB for a little return to Government. And now, he is busy campaigning on the “save” and “Price Lowering” campaign. Luckily, bigger supermarkets mostly in West Malaysia support the government to lead the others on this. However, it only benefits those who live in big towns. Hope that within this 5 months, the Malaysian fuel price will be stable, or otherwise that 5 months will become 5+5 months, or it will never exist at all.

5 Months...What??? My goodness....

For rural area, nothing much changes. We still have to pay more on our routine goods, even the cooking oil where my home is surrounded by oil palms! What a paradoxial price.

Thousands of reasons could be given. Everybody are pointing to he and she. Until when, than?

Good effort by the Government on the campaign, but most of the time we are champion on making policy, but loser on implementation. What I mean is how strong will the enforcement to really checked on the standard price especially in remote town. The rural really needs assistant on this; they can or even always live in minimum expenditure, which will not console them to understand the meaning of “jimat”. Their expenditure is already and always on the border.

A pity "warga emas" at Petaling Street. Maybe more will appear after this??

This articles is strictly a deep crying, an opinion of a rural based consumer, who have to suffer a lot on the goods’ price. I am not an economist who experts in global economy, but I am concerned on the end product of the crisis and how brilliant the government that we trust to handle it. The success of each Government efforts to handle the situation will be appreciated and remembered by the Malaysian.

Malaysia is a free democratic country. Everybody is free to talk as long it not touch on sensitive issues. And I have talk mine....