By : Jofri Jaraei
While the time the Muslims want to celebrate the Eid Qurban, or more commonly known as Eid al-Adha suddenly shocked by rising prices of RON95 petrol and diesel rose by 20 cents a liter. On 2 September 2013 ago RON95 and diesel prices also increased by 20 cents.
Now once again, the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (Ministry) announced subsidized RON95 petrol and diesel reduced by 20 cents per liter effective 12:01 midnight, October 2, 2014. With this new retail price of RON95 petrol is RM2.30 per liter and diesel is RM2.20 a liter. The market price of RON95 petrol recently RM2.58 per liter and diesel price of RM2.52 per liter.
When price of petrol rise certainly the cost of other essentials will also increase due to the supply chain management (SCM) is the management of the flow of goods. It includes the movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption. Interconnected or interlinked networks, channels and node businesses are involved in the provision of products and services required by end customers in a supply chain.
From here it involves the cost of all goods to be delivered to the user. To reach to the consumer, the manufacturer had to use transportation that involves petrol costs used by transport vehicles. Indirectly, all the prices of essential goods will go up due to increase in prices of petrol and diesel.
Similarly, the cost of transport to rural areas and the fate of the villagers who still use the generator to turn on the electricity supply had to use petrol and diesel will be affected with this petrol price hike. Not all rural population in Sarawak enjoys electricity supply.
We have not seen the government reduce the price of RON95 petrol and diesel when the price of petrol reduced in the international market.
Although BR1M may be increased, not necessarily everyone will enjoy the fruits of the gift, while with rising prices of petrol, all will be affected unless they are very rich and have the facilities allowance as ministers and those who wield high positions in government.
The people become victims as a result of the increase in petrol prices because this is not the time raise the price of petrol while people cope with inflation which can cause the people will continue to bear the prolonged debt.
We urge the government to review the impact of the petrol price hike to the people especially the small income and rural consumers.
***Jofri Jaraiee PAS Sarawak Deputy Commissioner iii cum PAS Miri Chief
