oil! oil! oil! we need more oil...

After the recent surprise of oil price hike announced by the Pak Lah government, (it is not a people government coz people would never agree on any hike), I got a lot of comments and responses from my families, friends and acquaintances in respect of the new oil price hike.

They were mixed responses but majority could not agree with the government decision to increase the petrol price. It was too high, 41% increment. That’s not a prudent decision and it is surely an oppressive decision by the Pak Lah government in the name of development.

Actually, it is not so much about the petrol hike but we are more concerned about other essential items that will surely good up, as a spin-off. Barang-barang makan harian lah. Believe it or not, nowadays people not just die of starvation due to famine or natural disaster, but they can die because of poverty per se. how to eat with no money.

If u asked me, how to soften its impact on our daily cost or cost of living, I would say, we need to cut back on a lot of things:-

-we need to use public transport.
-we need to car-pool.
-we need to use smaller cc car.
-we need to cook our meal regularly.
-we need to frequent Tesco and pasar tani for our weekly supply.
-we need to reduce our trip overseas.
-we need to do extra works for extra money.
-we need to work from our own house.
-we need to go shopping during the megasales only.
-we need to collect rain to water our plants and wash our house.

At the same time, I also came across very funny opinions to overcome the costs of living in the face of the new oil price.

One blogger suggested these steps:-

1. Turn off your car engine during downslopes.

2. Car-pool / hitch hike around. (This is alien to all Malaysians)

3. Use a battery powered car/tricycle (some are damn happening ok, dont play play)

4. Marry a rich woman/sugardaddy. Better still if he/she is an oil baron/baroness who owns Chelsea FC.

5. Get a higher paying job / insist on a raise from your boss. Best line would probably like 'Boss, did you know petrol prices have increased?' followed by 'Boss, do you know my pay is still the same?' and then 'Boss, I deserve that raise or I'm leaving!' And WHEN that fails, lie on the floor, roll around and then cry.

6. Open a 'Help me get money to pay for my petrol' fund. It's a step above begging on the streets. Then again…

7. Use public transportation of course. Remember, no pain no gain!

8. Move to a different country. Its like RM0.16 a litre in Venezuela. And they have hotties there.

9. Be fit. Run to work.

10. Learn to ride a bike or motorcycle. Buy a Harley bike.

Lim Si Pin blogger suggested these steps:-

“1. Those with imported cars can have an engine transplant. Just change those fuel-thirsty V8’s, V6’s to refurbished Tiara or Kancil engines that are so fuel efficient. Don’t worry about loss of power. Just find roads that go downhill. Remember! What’s on the outside is more important than the inside! You will still look smashing when people see you sitting in your shining Beemer … never mind if it doesn’t move … still look good mah!

2. If you are still worried about loss of power, than cut a hole in your floorboard and put your legs down to the road. Ah Ha! Now you got it! Just like Flintstones! After some time you will get use to it. Think of it as a treadmill. Now you will have no excuse not to exercise.

3. Still not enough power? Cut holes in your passenger sides including the back seat passengers. Sell them the idea that they can exercise with you! You may want to advertise … “NOW EVERYONE CAN EXERCISE”. Just don’t colour your car AirAsia red, or Tony Fernandez will cry foul! Good way to car pool huh?

4. Okay so you don’t have a luxury car and only own a small Kancil or Saga … don’t worry … since your car is sooo light…go to the nearest bicycle shop and get them to modify the car. How? Easy! Remove the engine completely (sell them to those blokes who need them as in Nos. 1,2,3 above, better yet, sell on eBay, more money highest bidder wins). Weld the chain sprocket to the wheels, the brake and accelerator pedals can then be used to paddle the car like those paddle boats at Tasik Putrajaya.

5. If you don’t think the above Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4 will work, then just don’t drive your car at all. If you must then whenever you reach a traffic light that’s red or in a traffic jam then just turn off your engines. When you are approaching your destination turn the engine off as well and allow your car to glide smoothly into the parking lot. You’ve got it! Just like how Captain Kirk parks the starship Enterprise in Star Trek!”

Whatever it is, I do think that we have to think seriously about how to soften the impact of the new oil price on us. Our daily cost to work has increased dramatically and we cannot afford to continue our usual lifestyle, we can go bankrupt guys!!. But I know Malaysian can always adapt in any situation...

Good luck fellow country man, as you were.