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Fuel Hike – Declaration of war against the people
Malaysian Socialist Party Press Statement - June 5, 2008
The announcement by the Prime Minister of increasing the price of fuel by 78 sen and increasing diesel by RM 1 added with the increase in electricity as well lifting the cap on chicken prices tantamounts to as a declaration of war against the ordinary people of Malaysia.
Last night, thousands of motorists queued for hours to buy fuel at the old price. The scene was chaotic and resembled a nation preparing for emergency. While the Prime Minister very bravely increased the price of fuel, similar commitment was not shown when workers demanded a minimum wage act to be implemented as well as a retrenchment fund to cushion workers who may face retrenchment because of the economic crisis and world food crisis.
The Government's move to give rebates to consumers is a further insult to our intelligence. The Prime Minister said further that the money saved will be used to offset the world food crisis. This was the same logic given when the Government came out with the 30sen fuel hike. Then, we were taken for a ride and told the money will be used to improve the public transportation system.
The fuel hike is a declaration of war. Only when the people own their oil, can it be put to good use. Venezuela a country which charges only 16 sen per litre and the revenue for oil is used by the Venezuelan state to give free education and health care, besides helping poor neighboring nations. This was only possible when a revolutionary Government under the leadership of Hugo Chavez with people power took over the Petrol Company and nationalized it. Malaysia's PETRONAS is nationalized but it is not in the control of the people, especially the working people.
PSM supports any move to mobilize people power to remedy this situation. We call upon all political parties and peoples movements to rise up to demand and reclaim what is ours. Waiting in queues is not going to bring about political change.
S. Arutchelvan
Secretary General
Visit: http://parti-sosialis.org
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