The papers are bombarded with articles by the government trying to pacify the people and justify the increase in prices. But, instead of pacifying, it's stirred up indignation - in me, at least. The government says that all these increases are necessary to ensure that the country is headed in the right direction to become a developed country - in order to do that, the people must be rid of all dependency on subsidies and what-nots. And that is supposed to justify a price increase?
AND, even better, today's headlines read : "Absorb costs" - our PM is apparently telling retailers and suppliers to absorb the costs from all these fuel price increase. Following that headline is an article by provision sellers in wet markets nationwide who have already raised prices. And what is to happen to rat-race workers like us who don't run businesses or aren't Members of Parliament (who, coincidentally, have just had a salary increment)?
The government is using the media to justify a price increase, force us to feel guilty for relying on the government. But, the government (or whoever brought it into their minds to increase petrol price) should think of the consequences of a fuel price increase. How can they so easily wash off the blame of an impending economic inflation from their hands? And Malaysians are supposed to believe that price increases in everything is supposed to be good for us?? There has got to be a better way to head towards a "developed nation" rather than by punishing the poor.
"I hate that the media ... are trying to control our minds ... it's very subtle, but it's a new form of Fascism." - Julie Delpy as Celine in Before Sunrise.
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