Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
<b>Malaysian Trades Union Congress president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud</b>
<p>It came as a shock to us. The announcement was totally unexpected and abrupt.
It is a very steep hike and the late-night announcement has raised eyebrows.
I heard about it at almost midnight and was told that people were thronging
the petrol stations.</p>
<p>The General Council will have an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the
next course of action.</p>
<p>Pak Lah (Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) has maintained that transparency
and accountability are the pillars of his administration but it doesn’t
appear to be so.</p>
<p>If it is, then why shock the nation with such an announcement that most affects
the ordinary rakyat and workers? Moreover, their salaries don’t reflect
the increasing cost of living.</p>
<p>As it is, workers are finding it difficult to even get a three to four percent
increment. In fact, some are not even getting a half-yearly increment.</p>
<p>Next, the government is going to announce a tariff hike for electricity and
although it claims to have spared the low-income group, there is bound to be
a chain reaction with industries passing the cost down to consumers/workers.</p>
<p><b>Fomca president N Marimuthu</b></p>
<p>We are concerned that the price hike in fuel will correspond with the price
increase in transportation, logistics, food and beverage, and construction industries.</p>
<p>Consumers must brace for the ripple effect from the fuel hike. They must also
be prudent and thrifty in spending based on needs and should refrain from conspicuous
consumption.</p>
<p>By differentiating between their needs and wants, simple practices such as
eating out less, cutbacks in leisure and entertainment, and alternating between
the usage of private and public transportation will be effective during such
taxing times.</p>
<p>The government must fulfill its pledges by utilising the money saved from the
subsidy for the benefit of the people and the development of the country.</p>
<p>We also emphasise the government’s role in ensuring that an efficient
and affordable public transportation system must be firmly in place throughout
Malaysia, using the money channelled from the fuel subsidy reduction.</p>
<p>There must also be transparency in informing and mentally preparing the public
on the issue as it has a deep impact on their livelihood.</p>
<p>The government must step up on price monitoring activities in ensuring price
stability and gauging the inflationary impact of the hike.</p>
<p>We also stress the need to address the issue profiteering by businesses, by
hiking up prices of essential goods and services.</p>
<p>The Fair Trade Bill which has the capacity to curb unethical profiteering activities,
and which has been in draft form for the past 10 years, must be tabled in this
coming Parliament sitting as promised by the domestic trade and consumer affairs
minister.</p>
<p><b>Consumers Association of Penang president SM Idris</b></p>
<p>Our neighbours, for example, Thailand and Indonesia have removed subsidies
for good economic reasons. Singapore has left petrol prices to market forces.
In this region, Malaysia has the lowest rate.</p>
<p>The increase in price should not lead to inflationary tendencies and prices
of food and other goods should not increase. The government should ensure that
there is no domino effect on consumers.</p>
<p>The number of taxis and buses to be operated by responsible operators capable
of running a good transportation service should be increased. The government
should also think of pooling taxis and reinstating car-pooling.</p>
<p>If transportation costs need to be increased, it must be reasonable and operational
costs must be kept to the minimal. In addition, the government should introduce
inter-city shuttle service such as a rail link between Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh-Penang.</p>
<p><b>Aliran, social reform movement</b></p>
<p>We are alarmed by the sharp increase. We can now expect inflation to gallop
as the prices of many items ranging from transport to foodstuff to express bus
fares will now rise.</p>
<p>As usual, these price hikes will hurt the lower-income group, including retirees
and commuters the hardest.</p>
<p>The government must take full responsibility for aggravating the hardship and
not providing alternatives.</p>
<p>Billions of ringgit of Petronas funds have been squandered. These funds were
used repeatedly to bail out banks. Billions more have been spent on mega projects
such as Putrajaya.</p>
<p>As oil prices soar, Petronas has posted record profits. The government is morally
obliged to make public the Petronas accounts in detail on how our oil revenue
is spent.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com