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Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Man-on-the-street Malaysians fear gas price hike for restaurants will worsen cost-of-living crisis
THE buying power of the ringgit continues to shrink as the cost-of-living crisis bites. Taking a further chunk out of the commoner's already diminished buying power is the recently implemented price hike on liquefied gas. This is the loud and angry contention from opposition politicians and its supporters. According to The Star, all eateries, including hawker stalls, have been barred from using household subsidised gas cylinder retrospectively beginning May 1. Instead, they have to use the new purple 14kg commercial gas cylinders which cost RM70 – almost three times the price of household subsidised gas cylinders which are sold at just RM26. Industry players are also required to apply for a yearly permit if they want to have more than three such cylinders. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is now cracking down to ensure that the food and beverage industry complies. This news has huge ramifications for ordinary Malaysians and was quickly pounced upon by the opposition, starting with PAS information chief Fadli Shaari who accused the Madani government of 'robbing the rakyat'. The Pasir Mas MP claimed that such move will cripple the F&B (food & beverage) industry which surely is unable to absorb such a price hike. The 44-year-old lawmaker further argued that at the end of the day, ordinary Malaysians are bound to shoulder the burden as the price increase is passed onto the end consumer. This sentiment was also echoed in a post on X by Naratif Rakyat (@NaratifRakyat) which is said to be the account belonging to former Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communication deputy director Datuk Eric See-To a.k.a. Lim Sian See. Media The Star melapor bahawa mulai 1 Mei, semua kedai makan termasuk warung dan gerai tepi jalan tidak lagi dibenarkan guna tong gas bersubsidi RM26. Sebaliknya, mereka diwajibkan guna tong gas komersial 14kg berwarna ungu berharga RM70 – hampir tiga kali ganda lebih mahal. — Naratif Rakyat 🇲🇾 (@NaratifRakyat) May 28, 2025 Quoting an unnamed coffee shop association president, the poster claimed that a simple bowl of noodles could see a RM1 rise in price due to this move. It was claimed that gas subsidies amounted to RM3.4 billion but in the end, the brunt of its removal will be borne by SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and ordinary folks. Breaking it down into ringgit and sen, the poster claimed that the move will greatly impact the food industry with common people ultimately paying the price. 'Another Indian restaurant representative said they previously paid RM2,600/month for gas. But now they have to pay RM7,000/month – a difference of almost RM4,400,' revealed yhe poster. He went on to admonish the Madani administration for claiming that such a move was necessary to prevent leakages and to rationalise subsidies. Despite claims by the Madani administration of trillions of ringgit in foreign investment, the rakyat have been subjected to increased taxes and removal of key subsidies. Justified or not, any subsidy removal is going to be extremely unpopular. For certain, the Madani government will have legitimate reasons for wanting to take the country away from a subsidised economy model. But it has to recognise that such a move will hit those at the bottom of the food chain worst. There should be a grace period for businesses to comply and consumers to make the necessary adjustments. Such sudden implementation and enforcement will do little for its popularity at the polls but if the Madani government wishes to implement any long-term strategies, it may have to re-think this move. – May 30, 2025 Main image credit: Daily Makan/Facebook
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Rakyat Post
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Rakyat Post
[Watch] Living On RM16,000 A Month ‘Too Hard' Says Subang MP
Subscribe to our FREE PKR's Wong Chen has struck a controversial chord in a move that is raising eyebrows. The Subang MP suggested that parliamentarians' current compensation package, anchored by a RM16,000 monthly base salary, needs a boost. Wong Chen argues that the salary is barely sufficient for basic needs. The political expenses we have, you think we are only looking after our children and spouses? You've also got all these people in your office. He further defended his position by explaining that the political work is unusual. Until you become a politician, you won't understand what the cost entails… a lot of allowances is not (a) salary. Wong Chen's comments about insufficient MP salaries came during the book launch of MP's Full Benefits Package The timing couldn't be more ironic in a country where the MPs may earn additional allowances, making the total average monthly remuneration approximately RM25,700. According to the Monthly base salary: RM16,000 Entertainment allowance: RM2,500/month Fixed travel allowance: RM1,500/month Vehicle fuel allowance: RM1,500/month Toll payment allowance: RM300/month Driver allowance: RM1,500/month Phone allowance: RM900/month Parliament session attendance: RM400/day Government agency meetings: RM300/day Additional benefits include: Mobile phone purchase: Up to RM2,000 every 2 years Computer purchase: Up to RM6,000 Black tie attire allowance: RM1,000 every 3 years Official ceremonial attire: Up to RM1,500 Hotel allowance: Up to RM400/night for assignments over 32km from home Daily allowances: RM100/night (domestic) and RM170/night (international) Overseas meal allowance: RM340/night Free first-class single room in government hospitals Apply for an Business class flights and two free first-class train passes for official travel Gaji dan elaun Ahli Parlimen terlalu rendah. Madani perlu naikkan – kata PKR. — Naratif Rakyat 🇲🇾 (@NaratifRakyat) MPs' Pay Hike Push Spotlights Malaysia's Economic Divide But here's where it gets interesting: while MPs enjoy this extensive list of benefits, the proposal has led to a fierce backlash on social media. One commenter pointedly noted that some Malaysians could only count ringgit by hundreds, while another questioned how monthly expenses could reach RM16,000. The contrast becomes even sharper when considering that medical specialists in government hospitals – professionals with years of specialised training – don't even reach this base salary level, as one social media user highlighted. Amid this compensation controversy, the proposal has inadvertently exposed the growing chasm between the political elite and everyday Malaysians, many of whom, as one commenter poignantly noted, 'spend their nights worrying about where to find work the next day.' For a nation still grappling with cost-of-living challenges, this latest push for higher political salaries might be the perfect storm in Malaysia's ongoing debate about economic inequality and political privilege. Yang sorang pemimpin PAS kata, "Gaji ahli parlimen HANYALAH Rm 25,700" Another context pula, "Gaji Rm 3,500 tak jamin hidup selesa". Soalan aku mudah, berapa gaji yg mencukupi utk ahli PAS? Sedangkan cikgu PASTI pun ada yg dibayar sekitar Rm 400 – Rm 600 sebulan. Zalim. — Zac (@ZacZakirin13) READ MORE : READ MORE : READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
