YOURSAY 'Having shortchanged us for so long, the government has the audacity to expect gratitude when we are only given crumbs from their luxurious meals?'

'When there's subsidy, no one thanks the gov't'

Bumiasli: Hello, Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan, when you give subsidies we don't have to thank you because it's the government's duty to help the rakyat. And when you increase prices, we grumble because you are dipping into our pockets.

You give RM500 to some of us once a year and then you increase the petrol price by 20 cents a litre. Please calculate how much 'subsidy' you have given us and how much you are taking for yourselves. Of course, we care how much you spend because it affects our income too.

MockingYou : There are two glaring mistakes made by the deputy finance minister. First, the government (the MPs) should be thankful that they are drawing ministerial salaries and perks on the sufferance of the rakyat. Second, where did the 96 percent internal debt he mentioned come from?

0berserver: Domestic debt is still debt. Besides, the vast majority of those "domestic loans" are ultimately tied up with foreign investment and commodity markets.

Bash: If the government is not there to lighten the people's financial burden due to high costs of living, what then is it good for?

Subsidy or not, the monies belong to the people, and does not come from the pockets of BN politicians. The government is there to ensure our economy is managed well.

CiViC: What sort of rubbish minister is this? The government exists because of the people. Did the government ever thank the people? We have been paying taxes in every way possible, yet I do not recall receiving any thanks from the government.

Having shortchanged us for so long, the government has the audacity to expect gratitude when we are only given crumbs from their luxurious meals? If the BN government is so unhappy with the people, go manage another country.

OMG!!: How could the people show appreciation to the government when the subsidies, which come from their money, are being cut so that somebody's son can fire up the stock market, buy a RM7 million palace or become the top oil-and-gas player?

Awakened: Malaysia is a net exporter of oil. If oil prices come down, the subsidy (market price minus actual price) is reduced.

If the market price of oil goes up, the subsidy is higher. But at the same time, Petronas will make more money. Since Malaysia is a net exporter of oil, the additional increase in revenue can be used to cover the sudsidy.

If the reason to take away the subsidy is because only 30 percent of the poor benefited, then APs (approved permits) should be stopped immediately since the billions of ringgit from the awarding of APs only benefitted less than 0.001 percent of the rakyat.

Also, the rakyat is paying through their nose for their cars which is one of the most expensive, if not the most expensive, in the world because of the high tax imposed by the government.

We would be thankful to the government if they reduce the car prices to market rate and we have no problem if the oil subsidy is removed.

Kgen: Tell me why the government keeps quiet on the high taxes on cars but continually moans about the petrol subsidy? Motorists don't mind paying market price for petrol if they can pay market price for cars. Don't treat us as fools by giving only one side of the story.

Anonymous_3e41: The bulk of the subsidy is the gas price subsidy given to the IPPs (independent power producers). Malaysians hardly enjoy much from that subsidy.

When subsidy to these power generators is reduced, their cost increase will recouped through higher electricity tariff to the consumers so that they can continue to enjoy obscenely high profits that can be shared with the corrupted powers-that-be that granted such concessions.

Onyourtoes: Ahmad, may be we should accept your recommendation - remove all subsidies, including subsidies embedded in your salary and perks.

You see, if based on productivity and output, your pay should not be more than RM900 per month, the minimum wage provided by law. And you should use a bicycle, not an official car with free petrol thrown in.

Malaysiawatch4: Any form of subsidy is bad as government is the worst agency to manage this. According to economist Milton Friedman, of every RM1 managed by the government, the cost to administer is at least 40 percent. And the cost of the civil service keeps rising each year.

Dalvik: By cutting the subsidies, you are clearly aware that it won't improve this country's household debt.

What's your other plan to improve this country's economy, besides cutting the subsidies, deputy finance minister? What is your plan to manage this resource-rich nation, compared to our neighbour Singapore that has no natural resources?

KnockKnock: If my father gives me subsidies, I will kneel low and hug him tight as a gesture of much appreciation.

If the government gives me subsidies, I have to be prepared to shed bitter tears sooner or later, normally it is sooner for it is like someone offering a humble handshake and you lose a finger after the hand grip.

Wira: Ahmad Maslan, the people are not thankful because Putrajaya is giving us a pittance after their grand larceny.

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