Furious and frustrated - another petrol and diesel price hike.

I am really furious and frustrated today after hearing the news over Radio Television Malaysia that there is another petrol , diesel and gas price hike beginning tomorrow morning. This time 20 sens for diesel and 10 sens for petrol per litre . I almost could not control my anger with the government of Malaysia for making the price hike possible . How not to be angry ,when there has been a number of price hikes in a year ( three times of which the latest was in July ,barely 2 months ago ), while my income through my pension remains the same ? I would not have been very mad at it, if it just means only petrol is affected. Unfortunately , it would almost certainly be followed by the price increases of other goods and services too . This means another inflation in this country .The government gave reason that it can no longer afford to subsidise petrol and diesel as a result of price increase of crude oil in the world market . But the government deliberately refused to admit that it also gain from the crude oil price increase because Malaysia is also an exporter of crude oil .I can't understand why the government could not continue to 'subsidise' petrol from the profit it gain from the increase of price of crude oil ? Oil in this country do not belong to Petronas only . It belongs to the people of Malaysia .Why can't the people of this country get the benefil from it ? Why only Petronas and it's staff enjoy that benefit ? If the government is of the opinion that it can no longer afford to subsidise petrol and diesel, we the ordinary people of this country is also of the opinion that we can no longer afford to bear the price hikes of almost everything. On behalf of the people in similar position as mine , I appeal to the government to be reasonable to us . We can no longer stand the inflation .

As an excuse for the price increase of petrol and diesel the government are always in the habit of comparing the price of petrol and diesel in the neighbouring countries without consideration of the buying power of the people of that country .It is therefore not fair to compare that way.Now , stop pulling us by the nose .

Entry made on 1st.August 2005.

I was watching the morning's programme over TV3 where Minister in the Prime Minister's Department with Special Functions responsible for Finance , was interviewed perhaps to explain to the public reasons for the price hike of petrol,diesel and gas .When asked why the government could not continue subsidising petrol, diesel and gas from the profits the government gets from the price increase of crude oil, the Minister explained that it would be unfair to the people who do not have motor cycles and motor cars . What a naive explainations ? Don't the Minister know that the price hikes of petrol and diesel would snowballed into price increases of other goods and services which eventually would affect everybody including those who do not have motor cycles and cars too ?

I am sad , because the Minister had failed to convince us , and so to safeguard the welfare of the ordinary people of this country .

Entry made on 2nd.August 2005

True enough as expected via the TV3 8.00 pm. news this evening ,it was announced by the Minister responsible for Tenaga Nasional , that there would be a hike in electricity's tarrifs because according to him Tenaga Nasional could no longer stand the pinch of the world's oil price increase .Any decent thinking person would know what to expect as a result of the electricity tarrif's hike .Obviusly , an inflation to the economy and a burden to the rakyat , especially the fixed income earners like me .

10th. July is my Birthday .

Yesterday 10th.July , was my birthday .When I was young I used to think that men 58 years of age were considered already very old . .One of that age was often described as unproductive , has nothing left to offer and perhaps just a burden to family and society. Today , I almost do not believe myself that I am actually already 58 years old .Contrary to my earlier assumption about 50 and above old men , I do not feel that I am less capable than that of men below 50 years. I feel , I am as strong and as active as a horse .I think I am still good looking and feeling great and very much looking forward to the future . I am still very eager to see the world and God willing I'll be on the track to pursue my love to travel .In other words I do not feel being old at all . Perhaps the only different of myself today and that of a few years ago is that I am a bit more sober , mature and a little bit more religious than before . It is only natural for men of my age to experience what I am experiencing today .

Besides receiving Birthday wishes from my wife ,my son Azman and Alisya my 6 year old grand daughter , no one else seems to remember to do so .I guess they are too busy with their chores ?

In the evening I was treated to a pizza dinner .

London under attack .

Today through the TV news we were told that London was attacked by the terrorists. Underground train transport in the city of London was completely disrupted .It is believed more than 50 lives were killed and a few hudreds were injured .Prime Minister Blair was quick to accuse the Muslim terrorists as being responsible even though investigation has yet to reveal any evidence towards that .Coincidently a secret organisation linked to the al Qaedah Europe group claimed responsibility in the name of Islam .Any way the claim has yet to be verified .However I would like to convey my condolence to the families of those casualties .

As a Muslim I do not rejoice over what had happened in London ,nor do I support the action done by the so called Muslim terrrorist group if they actually did the atrocities .The action was certainly against the teachings of Islam for whatever reasons they may have .The religion of 'Islam' comes from the word 'salam' which means 'peace' .The religion prohibits the killing of innocent people . Whoever claim thay they are permitted to do such has obviously diagressed from the true teachings of Islam .

However tonight's TV3 programme ' Majalah 3 ' showed the atrocities of the Israelis on the Palestinians. TV3 journalists had the opportunity to visit Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and Syria and the sites of the famous massacre of Shatra and Shatilla .I could not help myself and I cried after witnessing the atrocities on innocent people by the Israelis and obviously with the blessing of the Americans and it's allies .Now , I could understand why the Palestinians , the Arabs and the Muslims in general , hated the Israelis , the Americans and it's allies so much .

My sympathy on the casualties of London naturally withers.