Putrajaya, cries are getting louder – Tan Eng Bee

The grumbling and moaning in homes across Malaysia are getting more desperate and worrying, as the cost of living has escalated to an unprecedented level that warrants the government of the day to seriously look into ways to lessen the burden of the people without delay.

In recent days, the nation was informed that public transports would join the rest of other sectors to raise their fares and fees while students in public universities were relieved that their fees would remain. It cannot be said of private colleges and universities.

Even in the just concluded Umno general assembly, the resounding voice was the call to the government to look into ways to lessen the financial burden of the people and to consider this matter as the top priority.

From the four corners of the land, people are hugely perturbed over the rising cost of living and want the government to do whatever is necessary to bring the suffering of the people to an end.

The cry or call directed at Putrajaya is getting louder, more urgent and more desperate everyday. 

From the cost of putting food on the table, to buying an apartment or a small Malaysian-made car are beyond the reach of many ordinary wage earners, especially young graduates. They found to their dismay and astonishment that their salary can hardly pull them through the month.

Young graduates are considering other options at their disposal as globalisation means migration is made earlier than before. If that happens, brain drain is the order of the day and is a waste to the nation as we need everyone of them to spearhead the nation’s future.

Despite 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) that was dished out to deserving individuals, I am afraid the cost of living has escalated to a worrying level despite the assurance from Bank Negara and Putrajaya that we are doing fine and within expectation of their forecasts for this year. In that sense, BR1M would help in small ways but really not significant in their overall expenses. 

I have yet to hear from anyone, regardless whether they are rich or poor, not affected by the rising cost of living and no one has anything good to say for what is happening across the land where the purchasing power of the ringgit from pasar malams to hypermarkets can only afford them a modest meal and simple life style.

For those working as cleaners in City Hall right to those wearing coats and ties working in high rise buildings in Kuala Lumpur – everyone is not exempted from the rising cost of living.

Travelling expenses have escalated with the increase in tolls recently. Parking fees have gone up too – draining workers financially dry – especially those residing in Klang Valley who have no alternative but to use a number of highways to reach their offices.

The goods and services tax (GST) is one of the main sources of revenue for the government but its implementation is at a burden to the people. It is time to review and bring down GST from 6% to 3% – a more manageable percentage – and to increase by 0.5% every year until the target of 6% is realised in 6 years’ time.

I am sure many economists will agree on this move, a wise move indeed if implemented. 

Didn’t Singapore start its GST from 3% initially? 

For far too long, we blamed external factors for what is happening in our land but many economists and businessmen differed as the destiny lies in our hands based on the decisions we made, in this case, our elected representatives.

The question is, what did we do to insulate or protect ourselves from the effect of the global economy if our reliance on oil and palm all these years were to take a beating in the world market?

Wasn’t one of the major causes of our economic turmoil the failure to be prudent in our spending and ensure every ringgit spent by the different ministries were accounted for in a stringent manner?

Where’s the check and balance?

For far too long we have not taken the annual auditor-general’s reports seriously. The powers that be do not appear serious in wanting to bring those implicated for corrupt practices to justice.

It means the A-G’s reports are mere reports of no legal consequences or accountability, nor anyone can be bought to justice despite being implicated or suspected of corruption.

Leakages appear not to be taken seriously among public servants while ordinary private wage earners are squeezed to the maximum.

This land is blessed with numerous natural resources as compared to nations such as Singapore, Germany, and Japan which have none to boast of – yet they have achieved first world status while we are still considered as developing nation, struggling to achieve Vision 2020.

What do we expect Putrajaya to do?

Our first call to Putrajaya is to wake up to the cry of the people and to begin to act earnestly and seriously as to how the financial burden of the people can be lessened and to keep the prices of food, houses and other human necessities and amenities down to affordable levels.

Our second call is to the politicians to think out of the box to find remedies and answers for the problems faced by the people and to take responsibility and accountability over their actions.

Our third call is for politicians across the divide to come together as one and to act collectively and decisively for the common good while they are in the midst of handling some of the unresolved serious issues plaguing the nation at the moment.

Our fourth call is to Putrajaya to prioritise and to act decisively to bring the prices of goods and services to affordable level. Do not vacillate.

A story was told of a very wise teacher telling his followers “to work hard while it is still day for when night comes, none can work.” It means that when it is day, we have to take the opportunity to do the necessary for when night comes, that opportunity is gone. 

Putrajaya, please act with urgency while it is still day and within your capacity to bring calm, relief, and to lift the pressure off the rakyat, for when night comes, there is nothing you can do but to bear the consequences of your actions.

Putrajaya, the ball is at your feet. – December 14, 2015.

* Dr Tan Eng Bee reads The Malaysian Insider.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.