MyKad for Petrol : Usaha Halus Untuk Menyingkirkan UMNO dalam PRU 13

Pada PRU 12 yang lepas, kerajaan BN Pak Lah telah dihukum hingga kehilangan majorIti dua pertiga kerana menaikan harga minyak secara mendadak tanpa kajian mendalam. Kini Dato Sri Najib berhadapan dengan desakan agar susbsidi petrol dihapuskan oleh berbagai pihak. Sila baca analisa berikut yang dipetik dari blog ini

On Thursday, the Star reported that the new Government’s proposed fuel subsidy scheme based on the engine capacity of vehicles and using MyKad "has apparently been shelved." This blogger heard the same and it shows the PM is listening to the people.

The Star quoted some source expressing frustation for the shelving because it seems they have done a loty of work. The manner The Star wrote the report is such the country desperately need a no subsidy and market driven retail oil price. One can only feel these commentators have ulterior political motive to see BN lose the next General Election.

But what boggles the mind is why these dumb asses can't see the MyKad for Petrol smells of a scam from far away. Before answering that, read the posting by Paul Tan here for information on the new subsidy scheme. The Malaysian Instinct viewed it as impractical. The article reproduced below:

The Malaysian Instinct viewed it as impractical. The article reproduced below:
MyKad For Petrol:Painless But Practical-lessBy Loan Shark, Malaysia Instinct.

Recently, government has announced a new fuel subsidy mechanism set to be implemented on May 1 which will see the amount of subsidised fuel based on the engine capacity of a vehicle.

The revamp is being done to lessen financial burden on the Government, which spends billions ringgit each year to make petrol and diesel affordable to rakyat. However, the initiative to entail the use of MyKad for fuel purchases, seems to be not a good idea. Malaysia’s concern that the new subsidy scheme which depends on MyKad for verification and transaction, could be troublesome for consumers and petrol station's operators.

This could possibly create hassle and congestion as people need to go through many verification processes and extra devices to identify their vehicle capacity, economic status, and the fuel price they entitled to. Even though, MyKad will be functioned as a debit card where people can reload it upfront and use it later, but still people facing a messy time consuming to verify the MyKad and the process will even take longer if payment is made using a credit card or in peak time.One more thing, it is envisaged that the scheme will be based on consumer's nationality.

Absolutely for Malaysians and totally dismissed subsidized petrol or diesel for foreigners.As such, the need for MyKad to purchase petrol is mandatory. The question arises as to whether it is eligible to those having foreign spouses could use their MyKad to buy fuel for their husbands or wives.Other considerations for the new scheme will be the engine capacity as the amount of subsidised fuel based on the engine capacity of a vehicle.

The subsidy would be capped and limited to cars below 2.0cc which mostly owned by low and middle class citizens, whereas owners of cars with engine capacities bigger than 2.0cc would not enjoy it. Some automobile experts have decried a new structure which merely based on engine capacity, does not solve any problem.

They claimed, fuel consumption is not just about engine capacity but also engine technology by the manufacturer. They are also suggesting the government to explores alternative means of reducing the overall cost of driving because, as the oil crisis in previous years have demonstrated, there are times when sustaining the petrol subsidy is simply economically unviable.On the other hand, luxury car dealers believed the new subsidy system based on engine capacity is flawed and likely unfair.

The luxury car owner is already more expensive petrol. Hope the government will consider the scheme very carefully before implementing it.It may backfire and cause more frustration to the rakyat. The main objective of the government is to remove petrol subsidies and yet ensure that those in need of assistance would receive it correctly.

But the worrying factor is not so much the price but rather the mechanism to be adopted. Should this new fuel Mykad-based mechanism takes place coming May simultaneously with fuel price hike, it's indeed adding fuel to a flame.