“Don’t teach us about gratitude, Nga; petrol subsidy is about the rakyat’s money, not yours”

 

MELAKA Pejuang information chief Captain (R) M. Khalifa has apparently snubbed DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming who wants Malaysians to be grateful that they can still fill up their tanks with subsidised petrol.

The Housing and Local Government Minister had in a recent social media post called on Malaysians to be grateful given the Madani government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has to bear as much as RM3.2 bil in petrol subsidy bill every month due to the Middle East conflict.

“This is for the well-being of the people … as citizens we must bersyukur (be grateful). ,” he asserted.

Editor’s Note: The subsidy is notably for BUDI95 and diesel for Sabah and Sarawak.

But Khalifa begged to differ on grounds that “the money is not yours but they belong to the rakyat”.

“With all due respect (to Nga), no need to be grateful,” snubbed Khalifa in a Facebook rant. “The rakyat have been enjoying fuel subsidies in this country for decades. It’s only during your administration that petrol and electricity subsidies began to be capped and reduced.”

The digital creator even recalled the past when petrol prices rose by just 20 sen, “you and your coalition took to the streets to protest”.

“Now, with an 80 sen increase, you expect us to be grateful?” he jibed. “Do you realise how much the government collects from the rakyat? The Federal government’s revenue is expected to increase from RM334.1 bil in 2024 to RM343.1 bil in 2025.”

Rakyat pay for ministers’ upkeep

Additionally, Khalifa claimed that indirect taxes are expected to increase by 10.6% to RM64 bil driven by the expansion of the SST (sale and service tax) scope and the increase in the service tax rate from 6% to 8%. Elsewhere, income tax collection is projected to reach RM141.8 bil.

“However, RM33.3 bil in outstanding tax refunds have yet to be returned to the rakyat,” lamented the Pejuang leader.

“So tell me why exactly do we’ve to thank you, DAP or the current government? This is not withstanding the fact that ministers and government officials enjoy transportation facilities of up to RM4,800/month for fuel, tolls and drivers – all paid for by the rakyat.”

Turning the table on the Teluk Intan MP, Khalifa bluntly wondered if Nga “has ever thought for a moment to thank the rakyat” instead.

Have you ever shown appreciation to the ordinary people who finance your lifestyle? Have you forgotten all the promises you made before coming to power?

And let’s touch on the issue of consistency or lack thereof. When (former PMX’s senior aide Datuk Seri) Shamsul Iskandar (Mohd Akin) was exposed for his corruption, you were the first to come to his defence even before his own denial.

Your mouth is faster than your mind. But where now is the spirit? Why are you all so silent about the corporate mafia (scandal)? Why no firm statement, no swift denial, no outrage?

You used to brag by claiming that in your era, Singaporeans would also come to Malaysia to work. But what is the reality now? –  Focus Malaysia