Brace for Hard Times, Malaysians!

Less than 24 hours after Malaysian prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (pic) announced yesterday drastic hikes in petrol and diesel prices, the following have been reported:-

1. Inflation is expected to exceed 5.0 percent this month and rise to 4.2 percent from earlier estimates of 2.5 percent for the whole year, according to the Central Bank of Malaysia or Bank Negara;

2. The national electricity company Tenaga announced higher tariff rates effective July 1. Their Sabah and Sarawk counterparts expected to follow suit soon;

3. The Lorry Transporters Association of West Malaysia announced a 35% increase in their fees and;

4. Opposition DAP MPs led two street demonstrations, though minor and peaceful, in Kuala Lumpur despite the Prime Minister's hope that there would be none.

Based on experience, other trades or businesses will follow the footsteps of the lorry owners, if not over the next few days, only a matter of time. As it is, food is already expensive due to worldwide food shortage and the recent price increase of rice locally. While civil servants had a pay rise last year (which actually contributed to rising costs), those in the private sector have not been equally lucky.

Today, all over Malaysia including Borneo, from breakfast to lunch, be it at the coffeeshops or offices, the hot topic of discussion was none other than the fuel price increase and its expected and feared effects. Some talked about brining food prepared at home to work while others hinted of selling their cars and opt for public transporation instead.

Well, looks like we Malaysians better be prepared to brace for hard times ahead! If the national anthem of USA is God Bless America, we may as well change ours to God Bless Malaysia.