Mizmah
Noorham
Rohana
LAHAD DATU: The 20-cent hike in the price of RON95 petrol and diesel announced by Prime Minister on Monday received mixed reactions from the people in this district.
“It would certainly increase our burden. Prices for services and goods will also rise because of this,” said Noorham Hamid, 47.
According to Noorham, the government should re-examine the price increase as people are suffering from the decision, especially for the lower-income groups. He said instead of increasing the price, the government should provide fuel allowances to the lower-income group to face this situation.
“We understand that the price increase will strengthen our economy, however, the government should also review salary increases for lower-income group so that we will not be burdened by this situation,” he added.
Restaurant owner, Rohana Sri Melati, 37, said the people should accept the decision positively as she believe the government’s action is to improve Malaysia’s economy. She said it would certainly affect and burden the people in the short term, but they will likely to receive benefits from the improved national economy.
“We should be grateful as the government is still assisting the people by providing a 63-sen subsidy for a litre of RON95 and 80 sen for a litre of diesel to ease our burden,” she added.
Meanwhile, Silam Puteri Umno leader, Mizmah Appehdullah, said the price increase is likely due to the political unrest in foreign countries and we should be grateful as the government is still providing subsidies to ease people’s burden. Mizmah said the lower-income group should not worry as the government will increase the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) payment in the 2014 to ease their burden.
“The subsidy rationalisation measures by the government will strengthen the country’s economy and thus bring benefits to the people in the future. I have reason to believe that the government must have studied the effects of the price increase on the people before it was implemented and I think the people will not burden by the price increase,” she added.