Petrol Fumes

Petrol now costs 10 sen more in what appears to be the umpteenth rise since the Iraq war. Now 50 ringgit of petrol can't even see me through four days. Big Al says maybe we should consider giving up Daisy something more economical. I hate the idea because I love Daisy, who is an even-tempered, sunny-natured, expansive mechanical beast (she's a yellow Renault Kangoo). But I'm starting to come around to BA's thinking because Daisy may be inexpensive to own but she's getting very expensive to run. And I think that I should put my money where my mouth is and find a car that is more environmentally friendly, even if it only means a car that gives more kilometres to the litre.

I totally support the govenment's decision to gradually raise the price of fuel. Malaysia cannot possibly maintain the fuel subsidies indefinitely – we have to face up to the true cost of the quality of life we have come to expect. However, I think that the powers that be have dropped the ball in providing us with alternatives.

A week before the petrol price went up, I read a little item in the newspaper about a palm oil-based bio-diesel that PORIM is developing FOR THE EXPORT MARKET! Why not for the Malaysian market? Why aren't the national car companies working with PORIM to modify their cars for made-in-Malaysia bio-fuels? Or how about a hybrid car that uses solar power? Years ago Dr M. championed solar powered cars for city use but nothing came of that either. LPG cars? How many petrol stations offer LPG refills?

National attention is completely focussed on the wrong issues. Yes, rising costs will cause widespread hardship but by coercing taxi drivers, school bus drivers, lorry operators to absorb the difference is patently unfair. Similarly, by telling vendors, retailers and stall holders not to raise prices is telling them to subsidise the difference with their own bread and butter.

I fear that it is the little guy who will be squeezed out of business. News reports have urged consumers to shop smart and look for outlets with the lowest prices. Today, there was a full-page Tesco ad in The Star announcing that they had the lowest fish prices while referencing the news report. Big supermarket and hypermarket chains have the advantage over fishmongers in the market in that they have the means to go directly to the fishing boats and buy up whole catches for distribution to all their outlets. Fishmongers, on the other hand, have to rely on wholesalers for their supply. This additional level immediately imposes a higher cost price which is reflected in the retail price. Am I right?

So in the drive to change the subsidy mentality among Malaysians (a good thing, a good thing), we may be driving some of the most unique features of our society into extinction – our colourful, vibrant open-air markets, the little corner groceries, itinerant vendors. They are the little guys but they contribute character and colour to the Malaysian personality in a way that supermarkets, convenience stores and fast food restaurants never, ever will.

So please, powers that be, re-orient your focus. Look at long-term measures to alleviate the problems that reducing subsidies will engender. In other words, look for alternative, renewable fuel sources (and improve public transportaion while you're at it). And I will do my small part and look for a... sob... new beast of burden that eats less.