Are we Independent?

Today 31st August, Malaysia celebrates its Independence Day.

Tonight Midnight, petrol prices will be increased. I remember the Government announced earlier that the RON (research octane number) for the petrol will be changed come 1st September 2009. With this change comes the change in price.

The newspiece stated that RON92 Petrol will be changed to RON95 while RON97 changed to RON98. The newspiece also stated that RON95 will be sold at RM1.70 per litre while RON98 petrol will be sold at Rm2.00 per litre.

Now, what I've heard from the grapevine of Oil and Gas is that RON95 will be sold at RM1.75 while RON97 (yes RON97 and not 98) will be sold at RM2.05. For your information, Shell V-power petrol contains RON104.

This simply means that the government reneged from their earlier words that the petrol price will not be increased, but only changes in the types of petrol and RON contents.

I would prefer to see the so called 'subsidy' be abolished in totality. Have the petrol price as per market rates. Don't stop there... abolish all duties for vehicles irregardless of locally made or imported. Set the sales tax to be only 5% and Excise duties to 0%. Proton Saga will only cost 20+K.

If the person can afford the expensive RM170K Mercedes E200 (without duties) the person can surely afford the added fuel costs.


Are we truly independent??


--- update. the star online has confirmed that RON95 will be sold at RM1.80 and not RM1.75 as reported earlier..


.rr