Pakatan Rakyat has been calling for Petronas to show it's cards on the table because the Rakyat wants more transparency. Right now Petronas only has to report to the PM. How can one man be in charge of so much public money? How can this be rightly justified is beyond me. Petronas makes billions per year and only one man has the final say on how these billions are spent. Won't it be better if Petronas in put under the guidance of Parliment?
Suddenly Khairy come out asking Petronas to open up as well. This would undoubtedly give him some political mileage and I think everyone knows it. Let's take it with a pinch of salt and say he has a change of heart and believes in PR's course of action. I don't see any other BN MPs shouting out loudly calling for the same to be done. I mean what are these guys waiting for? Who the hell voted for these lame ducks? So for now I will give Khairy the credit and benefit of the doubt. Lets see if Petronas will listen this time since First Son-In-Law has spoken.
It is now up to Petronas to do the honourable thing and show us the money or whatever is left of it. Not just asking us to refer to their website for annual financial statements. They don't give us the information we want. What needs to be made known is the amount spent on:
Salaries of top exec within Petronas;
Expenditures on vehicles and planes, yes you heard right PLANES with an S.
Expenditures on hosting functions, gatherings, etc.
Other operating expenses.
These information will then tell us if the top execs in Petronas are indeed living like kings while the rest of the Rakyat are left licking their daily wounds. The Rakyat is saying out loudly, "Enough is Enough!" If the BN Government still don't hear us then perhaps it's time for a change. If the new Government doesn't correct this problem then we will change them too. This is how democracy should work. I don't see why the Rakyat should be the victims here.
As a citizen of this country, I think Malaysia is one of the best place to live in. It is safe from many natural disasters and/or conflicts that are taking place in countries like China, USA, Japan, Indonesia, Africa and the Middle East. I don't think anyone can disagree with me on this one. However, there is one disease that this country needs to get rid off and that is corruption. I am sure other countries have their fair share of the same problems but that's another story. This is the cancer that is going to kill us all. Unless the BN Government takes the necessary steps, Malaysia will never be healed and we are all going to suffer at the end of the day.
Malaysia is a net exporter of oil so that means Petronas makes a lot of money. These monies belongs to the Government which means it belongs to the Rakyat since it is the Rakyat that chooses the Government of the day. Therefore, monies which belongs to us should be spent to improve our everyday lives. The Government must use these monies to improve our public transport system for both East and West Malaysia, improve our education system, improve our health care system and improve our basic infrastructures especially to the rural areas. These are the things that will improve our lives and make Malaysia an even better place to live in. The only acceptable way for the Government to carry out these improvements is through open tenders so that it is transparent and free for all the Rakyat to see. Otherwise, any Government contracts given out for such works may be riddled with corruptions and kickbacks. That is one sure way of losing our monies only to benefit a few.
The Government is right by saying that we have to reduce and ultimately remove our subsidies but we must must evaluate if we are ready for such a drastic move. With the recent rise in fuel prices, Malaysian are already feeling the heat in trying to balance their cheque books every month. Our current public transport is not even up to scratch which means most people still depend on self transportation to get from point A to point B. Try taking a bus in Malaysia and see how long it takes you. It is even worse if you are located in smaller places like Kuching, Ipoh, Kedah, etc. I couldn't believe it when I went to the petrol station the other day. What used to cost me RM75 to fill up now costs me RM105. That is only part of the problem because as soon as fuel price rises, all basic items starts to increase as well. If the Rakyat had the option not to drive but use "good and efficient" public transport then maybe, just maybe, we will be able to save what little we can. That will only solves a small part of the problem because prices of all other things will still increase.
Therefore the only thing for our flip flop PM to do now is to ask Petronas to come clean and open their books for the public to see. I am sure we have more than enough accountants and auditors out there who can tell us the true story. If there is nothing to hide than there are no reasons why this cannot be done. Only after this is done will the Rakyat let this matter rest and move on to other issues. Oh another thing, the PAS Youth in Selangor should concentrate their effort on issues like Petronas instead of barking up small issues like two singers performing for our football match with Singapore. Talk about issues that are more relevant so that the Rakyat will see that you are worth our future vote. Remember, not only the Malays voted for PAS on 8 March 2008. It was Malaysian of all races and religions. So buck up! Like the old saying, "SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT!" We the Rakyat are running out of patience and believe me, we are not amuse by such actions.
Malaysia is a beautiful country but we Malaysians are not making the best out of things and before we know it, things will be beyond repair. Petronas would have lost all its monies and then what are we going to do then? 25 years of oil reserve and 35 years of gas reserve is not very much. We have to think about our next generation.
Malaysia as a net exporter of oil should be compared to our nearest neighbour, BRUNEI. They too are net exporter and the closest to us. I think that would give us all a clearer picture. Indonesia is now a net importer and that is why they have pulled out of OPEC. Thailand and Singapore don't even produce oil. I think the Government must have thought we were stupid or something. Must be our "excellent" Education System. So its time for Petronas to come clean and open up their books for all to see. Let's all unite together in one voice to ask Petronas and the BN Government to do the right thing. The Rakyat deserves an answer!
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