Time to change spending pattern, says Fomca

By PAUL CHOO


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians have been told to evaluate their lifestyles to meet the inevitable rise in petrol prices.

Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations president Datuk N. Marimuthu said the rakyat must understand that the price increase stems from a global issue of soaring oil prices, and not a Malaysian issue.

“We must re-evaluate ourselves in terms of spending to prepare for the inevitable increase. It is not only us who are suffering. Other countries are faring even worse than Malaysia. So we should not just blame the Government in the event of price increases,” he said when contacted yesterday.

He advised consumers to take into account any avenues to reduce costs, such as using less electricity, having more meals at home and having a thorough financial plan.

National Consumer Complaints Centre director Darshan Singh, who did not want to comment until the announcement on a new fuel subsidy scheme was made, said: “Consumers definitely must bear in mind that they need to be prepared for any eventuality, and that includes a sudden soar in petrol prices.”

A CAP spokesman agreed that consumers would have to change their lifestyle, but at the same time urged the Government to divert some of the fuel subsidies into public transportation.

“On average an individual spends 30% of his salary on petrol and car repayment, which is why if a new fuel subsidy is to be announced, some of it should be diverted into public transportation,” said the spokesman.

“This move would work towards encouraging more people to save on their travelling by using public transportation.”