Filed under: World News | Tags: Ban, Cars, economy, Malaysia, Petrol, Singapore
By EILEEN NG,Associated Press Writer AP – Monday, June 2
SINGAPORE – Malaysia has put off plans to ban foreign-registered vehicles from filling up on subsidized gasoline in its border areas with Singapore and Thailand, a top Malaysian official said Sunday.
The ban was originally due to start Monday at up to 300 stations within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of Malaysia’s borders with the two countries, where gasoline costs up to twice as much.
But Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is in Singapore to attend a security summit, told reporters that an anti-inflation Cabinet committee would meet Tuesday to review the plan.
“We have to find a new effective date because there are other matters, like for example, can we have separate pumps because the Singaporeans are saying that they don’t mind paying the market rate,” he said.
The statement indicated that the government may allow foreigners to buy higher-priced fuel, whereas the earlier plan was to impose a total ban on foreigners buying fuel.
Najib declined to elaborate, only saying that the postponement was made following requests by Singaporeans.
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My Views:
Another classic example of a government announcement which was not well thought of but at the spur of the heat. Opps, they did it again. Something tells me that the ban will not take place just like the bridge which was done half-way and the countless construction sites which had began constructing when I was an underage kid.
A friend of mine checked the flow of traffic at the Woodlands Causeway at peak hour last Saturday and was surprised to hear that it was smooth sailing- a clear indicator that Singaporeans are not very pleased with the ban of petrol. Ironically, we do not feel as inconvenience as we are supposed to. When I asked one of my friend who frequent Johor for the purpose of topping fuel, he said something like this:
“Cannot pump then too bad. Even if we are allowed to pump and it’s only a few cents cheaper, I will not go anymore. There’s a petrol station just in front of my of house. So, time to cut down shopping in JB too cause to travel there (distance) already use so much petrol and cannot pump when we’re coming back, making shopping there more expensive actually”
Some shops have admitted loss of up to 70% over the weekend because Singaporeans are not forthcoming. Petrol stations near the Checkpoint in Johor have also known to suffer great loss.
The ultimatums are:
1. Can Johor businessman continue to suffer this great loss in income?
2. How will employment be affected by the reduce in tourism?
3. How is the government compensating the loss of income of these group?
4. What will happen to the Malaysian Ringgit with less demand
5. Will the ban ever going to take place? Personally, I have my doubts
Filed under: World News | Tags: Ban, Cars, Johor, Malaysia, Petrol, Singapore, Subsidy
By JULIA ZAPPEI,Associated Press Writer AP
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The government will ban people in foreign-registered vehicles from buying gasoline in border areas of Malaysia, where heavy subsidies have kept petroleum costs low despite soaring prices internationally.
The ban was “a stern act by the government to reduce the leak in subsidy,” national news agency Bernama quoted Shahrir as saying. His aide, who declined to be named citing protocol, confirmed his comments Tuesday.
The fuel subsidies, which were expected to cost the government 45 billion ringgit (US$14 billion; �9 billion) this year, “should actually be enjoyed by the lower-income group in the country” and not foreigners, Shahrir said.
“This move is temporary until we come up with better management of our subsidy system,” The Star daily quoted him as saying.
Shahrir said the ban could take effect as early as Friday at up to 300 stations within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the borders with Thailand and Singapore.
Alang Zari Ishak, president of a local petroleum dealers association, said the ban may hurt tourism and relations with Malaysia’s neighbors.
“It’s a very harsh decision,” he said. “There are other ways to curb this subsidy money being utilized.”
Enforcement officers will monitor gasoline stations and signs will inform motorists of the new rule, Shahrir said. Those found breaking the rule could be fined or face up to three years in jail, said another official in Shahrir’s ministry. He declined to be named, citing protocol.
Currently, foreign registered vehicles are allowed to buy only up to 5.3 gallons (20 liters), he said.
Although oil prices have soared globally, the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has not raised retail gasoline, diesel or gas prices.
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My Views:
It did come as a shock that a ban is implemented as a temporary measure to reduce subsidy leak while the government is finding a more effective way to differentiate local and foreign-registered cars. Deep down, we all know that sooner or later, the Malaysia government would do something about it but putting up a ban is a drastic and harsh measure.
The question is: How long will this ban be implemented? Are they going to take a few years before implementing a better system? On top of that, how is this move going to affect the country financially?
Face it, the Petrol Stations towards the causeway are filled with Singaporean Cars. The last station Caltex, from observation, has 90-95% of foreign-registered cars (Singapore). Implementing such band would be devastating for such oligopolies. Removing the subsidy from foreign cars would still allow them to pump at a higher price but a ban? It would be interesting as to how large oligopolies are going to stand for their rights because this fiscal policy could cause them to loose a large sum of money. Caltex, Shell and Esso are the last 3 petrol stations before the Checkpoint and these three would hit rock bottom with the ban.
It is certain that Malaysia tourism industry would be hit badly this time. It is now pointless to travel the distance to shop in Malaysia with the rising of the cost of fuel in our country.
Heavy traffic flow + Distance (Time) + Increase in cost of fuel + Unable to top petrol before returning = Pointless to go Johor
What about in a certain case scenario. For instance, I am planning to spend 4 days in Johor for a holiday. That would be tricky, wouldn’t it? My car would be my mode of transport around Johor but I am not able to pump petrol in that country – how is that going to work out? Does it mean I need to travel out of the 50km zone JUST to top fuel for my car. That would be ridiculous. So how are they going to solve such problem?
True, foreign registered vehicles are allowed to buy only up to 5.3 gallons (20 liters) of fuel. Now let’s do some Maths here.
In Singapore, petrol cost is about $2.20 per litre.
20 litres / 2.20 = SGD$9 of fuel
Do you even see people top $9 of fuel? No, because it’s insignificant for a car.
Let us see the ratio of 20 litres to some of the common cars (tank capacity) we see on the road today.
Honda Civic 1.8 (A) – 50 litres
Honda Stream 1.8 (A) - 55 litres
Honda Accord 2.0 (A) – 65 litres
Toyota Wish 1.8 (A) - 60 litres
Toyota Camry 2.4 (A) – 70 litres
Nissan Sunny 1.6 (A) – 50 litres
Nissan Cefiro 2.0 (A) – 65 litres
So, as you can see, 20 litres of petrol is not even 1/3 tank full of most cars used in Singapore. In many cases, it will not cover the journey to Johor and back home again.
It will be interesting to see the outcome of the ban.
Discover the brand top 100 universities in the world in the Times – QS World University Rankings. How do they compare to last year’s rankings? And who is number one? Click the institute names to be directed to the profile of the chosen university.
A STOMPer was shocked after coming across a blog, where pictures of NCC Air cadets were posted of them undergoing various forms of ‘punishment’.
Anonymous calls this form of training ‘terrible’.
In the email sent to STOMP, the sender expresses concern:
“How terrible can it be when such cruel corporal punishment can be tolerated in schools?”
STOMP visited the blog, and the writer expresses his opinion that this school’s unit has gone overboard as he asks if such forms of training really “nurturing the adventurous spirit within the cadets?”
Various photographs of the NCC cadets undergoing training in a mud pit were posted, and they are seen made to roll in the mud, do foot-drill there and lay on a field doing crunches.
What do you think? Is such training really too tough for NCC cadets? Tell us.
Throwing babies off a 50 metre tower shrine in Solapur, in Western India’s Maharastra for ‘good health’ is simply insane. In what scientific manner is it supposed to bring good health to the baby – by inflicting injury? The body of a newborn is so fragile, even the skull is soft, so in no way throwing off a baby from a height of 50 metre will do them good.
Shocking.
There’s a clear line between rituals and insanity. Although ‘records’ shown no injuries to the babies thus far, it is an accident waiting to happen. Some rituals are best to be long forgotten. Don’t be afraid to stand up to traditions but do what you think is right.
Baby throwing should stop. Now.
The Iphone is causing a stir in Asia.
Boasting it’s elegant touch-screen interface, bright 16dpi resolution screen, impressive email, web and phone features as well as wifi capability and 8GB or 16GB of internal memory, no wonder it got the tech-freaks jumping off their chairs.
Steve Jobs proudly described the iPod as a beautiful piece of hardware that had amazing software inside it. Weighing a mere 135 grams, Iphone doesn’t feel fragile as it is built to last. As thin as 61mm, the phone is also equip with the state of the art features such as accelerometer where the screen adjusts from landscape to portrait automatically for the user as well as visual voice mail which It simplifies things by letting you listen to the messages you want in the order of your choice.
How can any music lovers deny the sleek design of the Iphone which does not compromise the clear stereo sound of music. It is a technological breakthrough for both mobile phones and MP3s.
Despite all that, the 2mp camera is dissappointing considering their rivals are vast producing 5mp cameras with world renown lenses.
Iphone was also penalised for their instable software as well as ‘unfriendly’ touch screen interface. Without keypad, some users think that it is difficult to type text messages or emails since the keys are quite small. Thumb tends to press other keys which slows down the whole text.
The battery of the phone is fixed – no such thing as carrying an extra battery for your phone. Perhaps, the disadvantages is a small price to pay for such sexy gadget. I shall leave you with Iphone user review by Xiaxue – don’t take her too seriously although she did brought up some valid points. Enjoy.
A new place; a new approach.
Rendezvous [rahn-duh-voo, -dey-; Fr. rahn-de-voo], an agreed place designated for a meeting at specific time. That’s what this new place will be all about. Little about author’s life but exploring more on recent global/local events, discussing on what’s right and what’s not, fiddling with new up to date technology, as well as basking ourselves in the beauty of the arts. All in all, it hopes to bring some news to you in the form of information and knowledge.
Don’t hold back. Grab a chair and enter the circle.
