Sibu protests fuel prices hike

Protest Against the 4th June 2008 fuel price hike
Democratic Action Party Sarawak and the people of Sarawak strongly oppose to the fuel price hike announced by the Government on 4th June, 2008. By the announcement, the petrol price was increased by RM 0.78 to RM2.69 per litre (in Sarawak) while diesel price was increased by RM1.00 to RM2.58 per litre (in Sarawak).
The reasons for the objection to the domestic fuel prices hike are as follows:
1. This is by far the largest single fuel price increment in the history of Malaysia, 40% increase in petrol price and 63% increase in diesel price. The People find it extremely difficult to adjust to such a sudden and steep increase in fuel prices and the inflation spirals resulting from such hike.
2. Petrol and diesel are derived from crude oil, our country’s most valued natural resources. Oil belongs to the People the profit earned from the production and sale of crude oil ought to be utilized for the benefits of the People and , one of which is affordable petrol and diesel. But Petronas did not even made public its details account as if it was a “secret” enterprise.
3. The Government claims that the petrol and diesel sold in petrol stations are subsidized by the Government. This is the biggest FALLACY.
When a Malaysian purchases a car, he has to pay the Government heavy import tariffs. For example, a Toyota Vios in Thailand is only sold at approximately RM50, 000.00 but is sold at R80, 000.00 in Malaysia. Even with an average high petrol consumption of RM500.00 per month, this RM30, 000.00 tariff paid to the Government is equivalent to free petrol for 5 years (RM500 X 60 months)
4. We are a net oil exporting country. Our country actually benefits from the increase in international Crude Oil Prices (COP). Compared with other oil-exporting countries, our domestic petrol and diesel prices are by far the highest. The following are some of the petrol prices in these oil-exporting countries:Price of Petrol in Oil-exporting Countries (per litre)· UEA — RM1.19· Egypt — RM1.03· Bahrain — RM0.87· Qatar — RM0.68· Kuwait — RM0.67· Saudi Arabia — RM0.38· Iran — RM0.35· Nigeria — RM0.32· Turkmenistan — RM0.25· Venezuela — RM0.16· Brunei — RM1.26
The Government should compare our petrol and diesel prices with these oil-exporting countries and not pride itself for having cheaper petrol prices than the oil-importing countries. Further more, those oil importing nations have better social welfare blankets and cheaper cars in the first place as mentioned above (3).
5. Despite the so-called “subsidy”, the Government’s net income from production of oil after deducting the so-called “subsidy” on petrol and diesel is on the increase.
These figures were obtained by the Member of Parliament (DAP) for Bandar Kuching in Parliament.
This is further confirmed by the statement of the former Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Muhamad Yacop on 2-11-2007 that:“ the country gained about RM250 million for every US$1 increase in the price of crude oil and that amount was after paying subsidies to maintain the price of energy in the country.”
6. Petronas profit has been increasing over the last few years and it is mainly attributable to the increase in the international COP.
7. The impact on the economy since the announcement of the fuel prices hike has been felt across all sectors of the local economy. Retailers and businesses have complaint that their businesses have been adversely reduced by some 30%. Imagine the long term developments as many will only feel the impact in 3-6 months time. Banks will see higher Non-Performing loans and thus will increase the lending rates which will put pressure on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and then the ensuring layoffs will make many family bread earners losing their jobs.
8. The government continues to subsidies tens of billions to the Independent power Producers and yet it can’t afford to subsidies fuels to the poor Malaysian in general.
It should take war on corruption which Morgan Stanley Singapore estimated at RM 380 billions (up to 2004) under the privatization policies implemented. That should be the main concern for the government and yet we do not see any concrete action by the BN government to take corruption seriously.

We urge that the petrol and diesel prices be reduced to the pre-General Election level, i.e. Petrol at RM 1.92/Litre and Diesel at RM 1.578/Litre.
In the interest of the People, we hope the BN government will reverse its decision on the price hike immediately. The government must honor its proclamation of providing "security, peace and prosperity" as contained in its last election manifesto.

David Wong
DAP Sarawak publicity secretary

27-06-20

Another incident at the National Service Camp

I just received a call from one of the trainees from the Bumimas Camp of Khidmat Negara, he told me that he and his fellow trainees (10 of them)were physically abused by the local police after the camp trainer reported that they were involved in a fight in the camp last night.
According to the trainee, name withheld here until i met him, there was no such fight in the camp yesterday and they were innocent. I would not be able to prove it today as i can't bring in the reporters to hear their stories.
I told them to meet me tomorrow morning as they were allow to come out for the church service on Sunday and let see what the truth is. But the bottom line is, if the camp commandant can't handle such a minor incident without the police, how are we able to send our kids to the camp without having to worry about their well beings and safety?
My stand about the end to National Service remains and may be more so after incidents that happened these 2 days. We are wasting our limited resources on a ill-defined and hastily implemented project that is not achieving anything and that cost us RM 500 million per year and then more.
The BN should focus on making the lives of the people better and not on unnecessary projects that made a few cronies rich, and i do mean filthy rich. The confidence level of the people on the BN is at historical low and incidence like this surely explains why. So, to the PM, i would like to ask "you want to hear the truth? It is on the newspapers everyday, look no further!"

David Wong
21-06-2008

Praise the Lord, 5 new members join our family

Photos from top down

1)The mother holds the puppy in her arms,

2)5 bundles of joys line-up for milk and warmth

3)Beautiful, ain't they?

4)Closed-up of two of them

5)My boys became the early-bird because of the puppies

6)How sweet is the little one sleeping in her mother's arms?

Yesterday, 20Th June 2008, was a very special although hectic one for me. I had a busy day as it all started from 14oo hour as one(1) National Service trainee called me from the Bumimas camp in Sibu informing me that he had been asked to relocate to Bintulu. His case was handled by me as his father was very sick and i helped him to get the approval from Khidmat Negara HQ to be allowed to be stationed in Sibu Bumimas camp instead of Bintulu. We got the approval on the 2nd 0f June and the letter was faxed to me from KL. But this trainee was informed that he has to get his butts off Bumimas camp yesterday instead after being in the camp for the last 13 days.

I was puzzled as to why and how the local Camp commandant could able over-rule the decision of the administrative personnel of its HQ.Another thought went through my mind was my press statement the day before urging the government to scrap the National Service immediately. I rushed to the Bumimas Camp accompanied by my wife and after i showed them the letter and told them that the trainee stays or else they have to get their own butts out of the Camp. Finally everything was settled but that have shown us the quality of the Khidmat Negara's administration.

I reached home at around 1540 and it was pouring down heavily then. As i drove into the house compound, our pet dog, a bitch of around 7 years old, was actually howling which was unusual. My wife said she must be hungry and that our maid might have forgotten to feed her. I walked to her as she was lying at the car pouch and patted her head and then i brought some food for her and left her there. I was thinking to myself that the vet might have to be called as i look at her belly which was a bit swollen. 10 minutes after as i was sitting down at the computer table, our maid called us excitedly "dia beranak!" or she is giving birth in English. My wife and the kids all went Berserk and was in a frantic mood as they saw the first born puppy (in white and black spots).

Well i was excited too and wanted to have a look at the puppy but no, my wife would not let me near them! She told me that as i was born in the year of the tiger, it was taboo for me to face the newly born animals with unopened eyes. That i have heard since i was a kid as it was the Chinese belief that the mother would consume its own new born if they were being exposed to a person with the Tiger's Zodiac symbol.

Then my phone rang, it was from Law Hui Ung, the personal assistance to our state Chairman, Wong Ho Leng. He asked me whether i was free as our Chairman had called for a press conference and wanted me to join him. I asked him whether it was that important and urgent and he told me the topic of the PC is "RICE" which i was taken by many as the key man in a sense. But i knew that i need someone who knows better and i called up a rice whole seller to assist us.

I had to rush to our Chairman's office although my own pet is having the most important moment of her life. We had a press conference at 1645 and we shown to the press the unbelievable sample of 15% broken rice which Bernas has released to the rice whole sellers.There were rice mice in the sampled rice and the rice is very powdery. Our Chairman told the press that he will bring the sample rice to KL for the chemist to check whether it is consumable or whether it is fit for human consumption.

After the PC i rushed home to welcome the second puppy (brown with dark spot) and my wife told me that that should be it. But she can not be more wrong as our pet gave birth on interval until well over mid night. She gave us five (5) bundles of joys all with their own characteristics and different colours as well.

My kids have been quarreling over the rightful ownership of the puppies this morning and they begged their mother to keep all 5 of them. We haven't decided yet as it is simply irresponsible to keep all of them if we can't manage to provide well for them, imagine 6 adults dogs in a semi-detached house! Well, we just have to take good care of them and God will definitely shows us the way when the time comes.

Before we hit the bed, my wife commented how magnificent is "life" and i told her it was the gifts from God. Praise the Lord for my hectic and meaningful day and praise the Lord for everything he provides for our family.

David Wong

21-06-2008

People wait impatiently for the change of the federal government

These 2 days have been the most chaotic for the PM as well as all for the BN men, many of them are waking up to the shock reality that they could lose control of the central government for the first time since the BN's formation decades ago.

When Yong Teck Lee dropped the bomb shell on the 18th June 2008 that his party's MP would either call or support the none-confidence vote against the PM when Parliament resumes on the 30th June 2008. The BN scrambled to cover its bases and held the BN's supreme council meeting the next day in Kuala Lumpur with all eyes on the East Malaysian leaders. Of course, all of them condemned Yong for his "betrayal" and pledged their loyalty and support behind the PM.

Whether Yong's move could trigger the domino effect from the other BN parties is yet to be seen, but the effect of his move has triggered the the imagination of most Malaysian who waited impatiently for the BN's downfall after the latest fuel prices hike and the ricing cost of all goods and services triggered by the high pump prices.

I have on two occasion went to the press calling for the SUPP, another BN component party with 6 MPs, to withdraw itself from the BN and let the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)takes over. The SUPP grassroots and supporters have been very receptive of the call as they were all taken by Anwar promises that the PR would give 20% oil royalty to Sarawak and Sabah and also the PR will reverse the pump prices immediately once it took over the administration of the country.

Many BN supporters called us up to enquire when would "D Day" comes. At least the ground(BN support base) is shaking and the following days and weeks would be much crucial as Yong hinted that there are more from Sabah that would follow his lead. At least Anwar is optimistic that he shall form the PR governmnet before 16 Septmeber, the Malaysia Day, and that would bring history in an interesting and meaningful pespective, wouldn't it?

David Wong
DAP Sarawak Publicity Sec.,
20-06-2008

The fuel price-hike is killing the people

Is RM 3000.00 sufficient for a family of 4?
1) Assuming that an average family of 4 earns RM 3000.00 per month, would that income substance under the current high-inflation and slow economic conditions?
2) How many percent of the household have a monthly income of RM3000.00? Maybe only the top 25-30% salary men have such an income?
3) How can such a family change the lifestyle as every item in the list is basic and nothing extravagance at all.
4) By the following analysis, many Malaysian families would not be able to substance under the current high fuel price and high-inflation economy under the BN.
5) The conclusion that can be drawn is “Malaysian have no way out except for either a reversal of the pump prices to RM1.92 per liter and RM1.578 per liter of petrol and diesel respectively or the down fall of the BN.”

Under the following analysis, even the RM3000.00 family runs into budget deficit or RM 350.00 and its only option is to sell the car/house or let the bank repossess the vehicle or sell the house by auction.

The kids have to forgo the tuition and college is out of the question. No more KFC or Pizza Hut or McDonald or weekend’s eating out. No more Astro and no more holidays’ trip for the family.

No beauty parlor for the lady and no cosmetic of course. Don’t even think of being lay-off by the employer and hope that there is no mechanical break-down or maintenance works required for the vehicle or house.

The average Malaysian family would suffer in the time ahead and worst still, the government is simply not listening apart trying to hang on to the power.

Average monthly expenditure of the 4-members household:

Item RM
House rental/ housing loan 500
Car installment (RM30,000 loan for 5 years @ 4% interest) 600
Petrol plus school bus 250
Insurances 200
Utility bills. Sesco, Water and others 150
Food Breakfast RM7-breakfast, RM 15 -lunch & dinner(RM37/day) 1100
Tuition for kids @RM100 each 200
Medical bills 50
Telephone bills RM50 each for adult 100
Entertainments such as coffee shop break @ RM 100 each for adult 200

Total 3350

Abdullah says "Thank You" and we say "No thanks to U"

In conjunction with the national level Gawai Dayak celebration, the prime minister flew in to the Land of the Hornbill on the 14th June 2008. During the speech addressed to the people, he thanks the Sarawakian for giving their total support to the BN in the 308 general election. The overwhelming support of the Sarawakian made Sarawak BN the biggest winner and contributed 30 out of the 31 parliamentary seats to the BN.


The PM obviously lost sight of the fact that most of the Sarawakian have regretted for having given the BN such support for in less than 90 days, the BN government announced the biggest fuel prices hike on the 4th of June 2008. The pump price for petrol and diesel was raised by 78 sen per litre and RM 1.00 per litre respectively.


The fuel prices hike was most unexpected by the Sarawakian as even the minister of Domestic Trade had announced just on the 2nd of June that the price of fuels would be adjusted in August. Furthermore, Sarawakian are of the opinion that we should not be made to suffer when we produce 1/3 of the nation oils and gas which had benefited the state oil, Petronas, and the federal government. In simple calculation, Sarawak contributed around RM 30 billions last year and we were paid the oil royalty of only 5 % since the early 70's. Even a primary school student knows that every Sarawakain would get around RM 12,000 per annum if the total amount (RM 30 billion) is to be evenly distributed to all the Sarawakian.

Furthermore, the inflation spiral caused by the fuel prices hike would increase the number of Malaysian living in poverty , failing businesses, unemployment, crimes and family and social problems. All these could not be negated by a simple "thank you" from the PM who had made the decision hastily without sparing a thought to the people that would be affected.


If the PM asks any Sarawakian, he/she would say "No thanks, we do not accept it and lets hold another election now if you want to know how we feel". We will do whatever we feel is appropriate until the BN government reverse its decision. So to the PM, I would say "Please stand down and reverse the fuel price hike decision immediately"



David Wong
DAP Sarawak publicity sec.,
16-06-2008

DAP Sarawak plans public demo in Sibu (Mandarin text)

News cutting from Sin Chew Zit Poh
抗議百物上漲火箭擬和平請願
（詩巫10日訊）行動黨砂聯委會宣傳秘書黃培根透露，行動黨將在全砂舉行和平請願，抗議油價、米價及百物上漲，并邀請全民參與，表達心聲。他說，行動黨目前正在全砂各地包括古晉、詩巫及民都魯籌備著和平請願運動。該和平請願將會是非暴力，具有組織性的。“當人民上街和平請願時，警方無須動用大批警力對付人民。反之有關當局應以開明的態度看待公平請願運動，讓人民有管道抒發心中的感想。”他指出，詩巫的和平請願運動將於7月12日之前舉行，至於地點的選擇包括詩巫城市廣場及詩巫之窗。“請願地點未決定，但是一定會選擇最多人潮的地方。至於和平請願的形式，我們仍未決定是采用游行或集會方式，不過肯定的是屆時我們將會拉布條及向人民發言。”他說，配合該和平請願，行動黨將會設計約1千件的T恤，以不賺取盈利的方式出售給人民。T恤上有3種顏色，即白色（白底）、紅色（字體）及藍色。“我們將在和平請願之前就率先出售T恤，我們希望人民踴躍購買T恤，不過至於沒有購買T恤者當然也可以出席和平請願。”他透露，該和平請願并非屬於行動黨，而是屬全人民的。所以在T恤設計上并不會出現行動黨的黨徽及字眼。“和平請願運動只是人民表達意見的一種方式，而且保證不會涉及暴力，所以我們認為不需要向警方申請準證。況且警方已透露絕對不會發出準證，所以我們就索性不提出申請。”在詢及在沒有申請準證的情況下，行動黨一行人會否擔心被警方逮捕時，黃培根說行動黨絕對不會害怕坐牢。“我們的目的是表達人民的心聲，若警方放著罪犯不捉，而要來對付我們，那就悉聽尊便吧！”

Damage control, the BN's ways?

Now that the people have spoken loud and clear against the horrifies fuel price hike announced by the PM on the 4Th June 2008, the governments are busy putting out bush fires(rallies and protests) across the country, from Kuala Lumpur to Sabah and Sarawak.

Days ago, the PM said he can't commit himself that he would not raise the fuel prices in the near future as the international cruel oil price is too volatile. But yesterday, he announced that the fuel prices would not increase this year. So which statement is to be taken by the people as "truthful"? Malaysian in general have lost the confidence in the BN government and this could be the most serious setback of the PM, serious enough for the people to call for his replacement, people such as Tun Dr. M and many UMNO leaders are all very vocal in this matter.

When the heat is unbearable, where and whom did the PM turn to? Sabah and Sarawak of course as these two states have more than enough MPs to topple the BN government. Anwar, the de facto leader of the PKR had on many occasions stated that he has enough number of MPs to form the next government and Sabah was mentioned as the key to the BN's defection if indeed what he said was true.

So the PM had to visit Sabah and brought them 6 presents including a RM 1.0 billion special PM's development fund. Then came Sarawak, whose CM said Sarawak should get the same or more from the federal government as sabah. The PM came to Kuching on the 10th June and announced among others the RM1.0 billion fund for the state also.

Now that the MPs from Sabah and Sarawak are been "bought" by the promise, and i do mean promise, the PM can at least have a few restful nights until the heat of the UMNO general assembly catches up with him again. But with the latest hike of fuel prices, political analysts feel that the road to UMNO's presidency is long and winding for Abdullah as many of the UMNO grassroots are angry over the fuel price hike which was the steepest in history.

No damage control is sufficient to cover the damages done by the BN's fuel price hike. The ordinary folks just wonder "how are we going to survive?" and the answer certainly lies deep in the chests of all Malaysian regardless of religious and cultural background. Malaysian have never been more united before and that the PM must take note and take care.

David Wong
13-06-2008

10% entertainment allowance for RM500,000, what a deal! It is like winning a lottery.

The PM announced the austerity drive aimed at saving some RM2.0 billion. The measures were mooted by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who said that the government feels the pain of the people and wants to lead by example by pulling back several privileges enjoyed by ministers and their deputies.The cutback on perks includes a 10 percent reduction on entertainment expenditure for ministers and their deputies.If the PM had RM18,865 in entertainment allowance before, he can claim RM16,978.50 now.

After soem 2 hours of closed door meeting, the participants all came out smiling as if they struck lotteries. Then, the PM announced yesterday in Kuching that all the MPs in Sarawak would get additional RM500,000 grant each for their constituencies' development on top of the present RM 500,000 that they already have. On top of that all the BN State Assembly Members would get additional RM250,000 each as well. That means the MPS and the Aduns in Sarawak would get the windfall as if they strike lotteries when the people in the state suffer in vain. Now we all know what they did in the meeting, don't we?

So, the moral behind this is "complain and you wish would be granted" but this only apply to BN's YBs and not the ordinary folks. Maybe, just maybe the BN YBs would thank DAP Sarawak for our vocal opposition to the fuel price hike recently as well as the price hike of the rice in Sibu and they used these as the leverage and now all the MPs and Aduns are instant millionaire.

David Wong
11-06-2008

Time for the SUPP to withdraw from the BN

It is time for the SUPP to withdraw itself from the BN
The people of Sarawak generally agree that the SUPP must make the decision to withdraw itself from the BN after the latest developments that affect the lives of all the Sarawakian.

As a political party, the SUPP should put the interests of the people first before its leaders’ interest or its own political interests in the BN. When the people face difficulties, the SUPP should put its stand down in favor of the people. But we did not see any respond at all from the SUPP’s leadership with the latest price hike of rice and fuels as if these are of no important to them at all.

Abdullah announced on Wednesday that the pump price for petrol would increase by 78 sen - from RM1.92 per litre to RM2.70. The price of diesel increased by a whopping 63.3 percent - from RM1.58 per litre to RM2.58. (Attached herewith is a table of oil prices of other oil producingcountries for comparison)

The fuel prices increase came almost immediately after rice price hikes. The people just can't accept the reason given by the government that the latest increase in the fuel price was to subsidise food and other items. Furthermore the BN government has not shown where the 56 billions subsidies it provided has been gone as Petronas has never shown any transparency about its accounts apart from the audited balance sheet and P&L account. Malaysian have the right to know why the state oil giant needs to be compensated by the government when Malaysia is a net oil exporter and when Petronas makes billions with the high international cruel oil prices hitting record high at USD 136 per barrel.

The latest move to increase the fuel price and rice has completely contradicted BN's proclamation of providing "security, peace and prosperity" as contained in its last election manifesto.

Malaysiakini reported that “Sapp president Yong Teck Lee warned the PM of serious political fallout for the BN and the party's Youth wing went called for the resignation of the prime minister and his cabinet.”

The SUPP and other East Malaysian BN component parties should withdraw now from the BN and let the Pakatan Rakyat take over in order to save this country from being ruined. After all, Abdullah and Najib and the BN should be brought down for failing to manage the nation's wealth and resources prudently.

The latest price hike of the petrol had shown how Sarawak has been sold out by the state BN when we produce 1/3 of the oil and gas in Malaysia. The second finance minister has told us that with every 1 USD increment in the international cruel oil market, Malaysia will enjoy a windfall or RM 250, 000, 000! That proves that the present cruel oil price of some USD 136 will give Malaysia additional RM 17, 500, 000, 000.00 compared to the year 2006. The fact that the federal government only pays the state 5% royalty on oil and gas since the 70s is hard for us to swallow when the state is considered one of the poorest states in the country.

The people of Sarawak would not have imagined that this is what they would be getting for supporting the BN in the last election. The BN won 30 out of 31 of the parliamentary seats in the March 8th general election and more importantly, that magic number of 30 is sufficient to topple the BN government. The Sarawak BN component parties must show to the people that they are worthy of their support by withdrawing themselves from the BN and they can do so without having to join the Pakatan Rakyat.

It is time for the SUPP to decide where its loyalty lies, “to the people of Sarawak or to its BN master?” “All your supporters and your grassroots and Sarawakian are watching and time is running out”.

David Wong
DAP Sarawak publicity secretary
07-06-2008

It is like "a cyclone has hit Malaysia"!

The government has announced that petrol price will go up by 78 sen at midnight - a 40.6 percent jump from RM1.92 per litre to RM2.70.

"Effective from tomorrow, June 5, 2008, the price of petrol will be raised by 78 sen and the price of diesel will be raised by RM1," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told a press conference.

The price of diesel will increase by a whopping 63.3 percent - from RM1.58 per litre to RM2.58.Since 2004, petrol has gone up by 97.1 percent, while diesel increased by a whopping 231 percent.

My comment:
The BN government is trying to squeeze the people dry during this time of slow economy and high inflation. It is like killing the goose for the eggs, if you may, because the 40-63% increase of fuel prices would squeeze any liquity left out of the market and the confidence of the general public.

The drastic increase only show that the country state coffer is dried out and the central government has no money left after decades of corruption and mismanagemnet. The BN government has never shown the people where the oil money has been spent and has never accounted fot billions of oil money spent.

The second finance minister has told us that with every 1 USD increament in the international cruel oil market, Malaysia will enjoy a winfall or RM 250, 000, 000!
That proves that the present cruel oil price of some USD 125 will give Malaysia additional RM 15, 000, 000, 000! compared to the year 2006.

Yes, Malaysia doesn't have any natural disaster, but the man-made or government managed disaster surely is as severe as the Cyclone in term of damages and suffering by the poor and low income group.

If Malaysia becomes bankcrupt, it will not be caused by the fuel susidies but from corruptions and mismangement of the country economy by none other than the BN!