ONE wonder if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has slipped his tongue or worst, shot himself in the foot by claiming that his study indicated that only about 15% of Malaysians are affected by recent diesel price spike following the Middle East conflict.
While PMX acknowledged that this segment continues to feel the effects, he contended that a the remaining 85% are still purchasing diesel at subsidised rates rather than free-float market prices (currently RM5.95/litre, down from RM6.72/litre previously).
“We have provided many exemptions but we shouldn’t sensationalise isolated cases. I don’t deny that there are those affected (to which the government is doing its best to ease the burden),” he contended after officiating the new Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) terminal in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan yesterday (April 18).
Nevertheless, PMX’s latest statement has sparked widespread criticism as to the accuracy of his claim. Even fiery UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal challenged PMX who is also the Finance Minister “to present this alleged data to all Malaysians”.
“I think all Malaysians want to know about the validity of this data and how this data was obtained,” the staunch defender of race and religion made a courteous request in a Facebook post.
“Is the data given to PMX wrong? Malaysians who are affected are probably 85% compared to those who are not affected by the diesel price increase 
”.
Terengganu Agriculture EXCO Dr Azman Ibrahim described PMX’s 15% figure as “seemingly too cosmetic and far-fetched from the reality”.
“Who conducted this study and what is the study methodology? How many respondents were surveyed? What are the criteria for selecting respondents? How is the data analysed?” the Jabi state assemblyman and Central PAS working committee member demanded to know.
“The government cannot fall into denial syndrome. Misinformation will lead to inaccurate remedial actions.”
As detractors belittled PMX’s mathematical ability, Madani critic Datuk Eric See To reckoned that the former’s contention that only 15% of Malaysians are “affected” by the diesel market price only goes to show that “his understanding of economics is too shallow”.
“Yes, it’s true that technically only a small portion of the people fill up on diesel directly. But diesel is not petrol. Diesel is not a fuel for individual use alone. Diesel is the lifeblood of the economy,” the former Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy strategic communications director jibed in a Facebook reaction.
It is not like RON95 with your Budi95 because petrol is a consumption material – not an economic input material like diesel.
Lorries use diesel. Tractors use diesel. Ploughing and harvesting machines use diesel. Excavating machines and tractors in mining use diesel. Construction machinery uses diesel.
Generators and factory boilers use diesel. Forklifts in ports and heavy logistics hubs use diesel. Lawn mowing uses diesel. Mosquito spray uses diesel.
In short, diesel is used to move goods, build infrastructure, mine and produce food. This is a very simple economic principle.
Saying that only 15% are affected is like saying that only bakers use flour, so the price of flour does not affect others. The fact is, everyone eats bread.
More worryingly, See To hit out that PMX’s statements goes to show that the Madani government only sees this issue from the perspective of “who fills the tank” as opposed to “the perspective of the entire supply chain”.
“That is a huge mistake that will have a huge impact on the economy, inflation and cost of living in the long term,” rebutted the loyalist of incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“Because in the real economy, costs don’t stop at the first consumer. They will flow down until they finally reach the end consumer — the rakyat. And when the price of goods goes up because the price of diesel is high, it’s not easy to go down again even if the price of diesel goes down.” – Focus Malaysia
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