Malaysian Politics 2014: Tough explaining price hikes to people, says Dr Wee

PETALING JAYA: It will a tough year ahead for Malaysians and the price hikes, including the impending ones, will be sorely felt, especially by the middle-income earners and below, said Ayer Hitam MP and MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

This will put pressure on elected representatives to try to explain to the people the situation they are in, he said.

"I expect some form of financial aid to help ease the people's burden in everyday living. It is sad to see people struggling to make ends meet.

"They are either buying less or paying more, or not buying at all with the amount of money they have.

"The rising cost of living is a big concern and very real as I found out when I go to the ground to meet the people.

"As an MP, I must find ways to help the people apart from explaining the situation to them.

"The rationalisation exercise of fuel subsidies and the electricity tariff hike have a huge impact on the people across the board.

"For instance, take the tariff hike. The supermarkets would pass the cost on to every item that they sell.

"A 10% to 20% increase in the price of goods is a huge burden to many people.

"Those with monthly electricity bills of RM20 or lower may be exempted from paying the bills and some 700,000 households are said to be under this category.

"But they are still affected because the increase in cost of doing business due to the tariff hike are passed on to the customers.

"The people are not happy and this puts pressure on the elected government representatives.

"The middle-income earners and urban dwellers are also facing the pinch from the high toll rates.

"While we may understand the need to rationalise subsidies, such a move cannot be implemented overnight.

"The people, especially the lower-income group, need help and time to adapt to the changes.

"Any abrupt change coming at the same time have caused much uncertainty and anxiety among the people.

"On politics, the Opposition should walk the talk and stop playing the blame game if they ever have the people's interest at heart.

"Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who has been boasting all this while on how he saved money to benefit the people, is now chauffered-driven in a brand new Mercedes Benz S Class which cost almost RM300,000.

"He is not only inconsistent in his words and actions and trying to find excuses to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle, saying that he took up the car to reflect the Chief Minister's status.

"I liken this to using public funds for fun.

"Well, I also expect a lot more rhetoric from the Opposition out to gain political mileage from the current economic scenario and riding on the people's misery."