Media Statement

by Chiew Chiu Sing

(Kidurong, Thursday): Are you angry with the fuel hike in the past two years?

Why are people of Sarawak, which produces a third of Malaysia’s oil product, paying more for petrol, diesel and cooking gas?

Let us see what had happened in the past two years since the March 21 general election in 2004:

Petrol price has increased by 40 % while diesel doubled at 102%.

Fuel hike is more than just fuel hike. As an important cost in many other consumer items and services, DAP has warned long before the 30-sen hike that increase in fuel price is bound to push up cost and affect overall inflation.

 Sure enough, consumer price index increased 4.8 percent in March 2006, the highest since the economic crisis eight years ago.

 As the disposable income of consumer is being depleted by the raising fuel prices, one has no choice but to spend less if he is not prepared to accumulate more debts.

If everyone has less disposable income and consequently spend less, businesses are likely to find harder times ahead as well, especially when interest rate is on the rise.

As a result, confidence of consumers and investors both head downwards, which may means a slowdown in the economy, if not recession.

It is all because of BN’s misrule.

Why an oil importer like Singapore can give S$2.6 billion (RM 6 billion) to Singaporeans but not an oil exporter like Sarawak?

DAP reiterates the social responsibility and moral obligation to distribute Petronas profits to needy Malaysians as such oil revenue belong to Malaysians. For 2004 financial year ending 31 March 2005, RM 35.5 billion in Petronas profits would amount to RM 1,500 per person or RM 9,000 per year for a needy household of 6 persons. For the latest financial year, Petronas profits would amount to RM 2,000 ringgit per needy Malaysians who are not well-off, more than enough to offset the rise in petrol price at international prices.

If a non-oil exporter like Singapore can give S$2.6 billion (RM 6 billion) cash under the 2006 Budged this year to all Singaporeans, especially the poor, why can’t the Malaysian government do so when Petronas has earned nearly RM 500 billion since its inception in 1974? Oil importer Singapore has given S$10.6 billion (RM 24 billion) directly to its people since 2000 as compared to Petronas which has not given a single cent.

The natural question that BN and SUPP must answer is how come Sarawakians  cannot even get a single cent directly from the RM 500 billion oil revenues whilst Singaporeans without a single cent of earning from oil revenue can benefit from RM 24 billion these last 5 years?

It is time to vote for the opposition to safeguard your purse.

Enough is enough! Sarawak deserves better!