Yes to no petrol subsidy
By Zan Azlee

Talks have been rife about the increase in petrol price which was announced recently (right before the tabling of the national budget!).

Okay fine, it’s not an increase in petrol price. It’s really the reduction in subsidy for petrol. So what call it whatever you want, a rose is a rose by any other name.

So most of the talk about the petrol price or subsidy have been of anger and frustration of how inconsiderate the government is towards the people.

But I have to say, I totally disagree. I am in full support of the reduction of petrol subsidy in the country. In fact, it should be cut totally.

First, I’m a firm believer of the saying ‘if you give a man some fish, he eats for a day. But if you teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime’. So no subsidies for me!

Second, and more importantly is that the price of petrol is really not the main issue. Everything surrounding it is what really matters.

According to Bjorn Lomborg, director of the Copenhagen Consensus Centre, in an interview with Freakonomics co-author, Stephen Dubner, petrol is usually subsidised in developing countries.

Lomborg adds that the subsidy is usually given by the government to appease the citizens because there might be something lacking elsewhere which they cannot fulfill. [Click to read the full article at English.AstroAwani.Com]