A year after GE14, lower-income earners say life better under BN

Diyana Ibrahim Looi Sue-Chern Mikha Chan Diyana Ibrahim, Looi Sue-Chern, Mikha Chan Updated 5 years ago · Published on 8 May 2019 11:00AM · 11 Comments

The cost of living has gone up despite the abolishment of the GST soon after Pakatan Harapan came into power last year, say voters. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 8, 2019.

WHEN Pakatan Harapan swept into power on May 9 last year, Mohamad Fazli, 35, was one of the millions of Malaysians who rejoiced over what they believed would be the end of the financial hardships and sky-rocketing prices of goods over recent times.

But the part-time driver, like many other PH voters, has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of tangible improvements to his life since the 14th general election.

“I’ve always voted Barisan Nasional but I wanted a change (in GE14) because I was attracted by the manifesto, because I was burdened by the price of petrol and tolls,” said Fazli, who rents a flat in Ampang.

He said he continues to set aside RM400 to RM500 a month for petrol and toll charges, as he did before GE14.

However, he said the price of goods has not dropped and some raised in the past year.

“We thought that when we voted for PH, life would be better,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“But it seems like life is better during BN.”

Rizal Ali, 31, said instead of enjoying more savings as he had hoped for after PH’s victory, his household expenses have gone up.

The despatch driver from Wangsa Maju said his monthly expenditure on household goods has gone up from RM300 last year to RM500.

“Last year, it was still all right (expenses), but I don’t know why my monthly expenses have gone up this year even though I no longer have to buy disposable nappies and milk,” said the father of two.

Rizal’s monthly commitments total RM3,000, meaning there is simply no savings at the end of the month after his and his banker wife’s salaries are spent.

“In the past, we could still save RM100, RM150 a month, but now there’s nothing at all.”

Many shoppers have to look out for bargains in the supermarket as the price of most basic foodstuff has gone up. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 8, 2019.

A recent survey by Merdeka Centre revealed that only 39% of voters gave the PH federal government positive ratings, from 60% in August last year.

The decline in public support for the administration was attributed to a perceived weak economy and poor performance of the administration, and concerns over Malay rights and privileges, as well as fair treatment of the other races in Malaysia, said Merdeka Centre.

Farahdilla Kadir, 40, said life appears harder in the past year, despite the abolishment of the goods and services tax (GST), which was blamed for the ballooning of prices and services during the BN administration.

Farahdilla, who sells fried snacks at Seberang Jaya, Penang, said she used to be able to take home about RM100 every day but considers herself lucky to be able to make RM30 now.

“At times, I can just cover the cost. In the past, I could afford to pay for an assistant at RM40 a day, but not any more,” she said.

Because of the high cost of food items, her family have had to cut out seafood from their meals, even though they were a staple in the past.

Patience running thin

PH leaders admit that they are unable to fulfil all of their election pledges, blaming it on the high debt left by the previous BN administration.

Farahdilla said she is willing to give PH time to undo the mistakes of the past administration but Putrajaya cannot not get away with the blame game for much longer.

“It’s really much harder now. In the past, there was still the BR1M but now, most don’t qualify (for government aid),” she said, referring to the newly introduced cost-of-living aid which replaced the 1Malaysia People’s Aid.

“So now the people are complaining because life is harder than before and the BN supporters are laughing at us.”

Hania Samaila, 40, admitted that the quality of life for the lower-and-middle income earners remained much the same after GE14.

The PH supporter said that the abolishment of the GST last year had not brought much relief when it comes to lowering prices of household goods, or the cost of doing business, and that her monthly income of between RM1,300 and RM1,500 was just enough to support her family, and her sick mother.

However, she said urged others to be patient and to give PH time to prove itself.

“I’m not asking for handouts from the new government. It’s only been a year that they’ve been in power,” said the Kajang resident.

“I want to wait until they’re more stable, before asking for assistance. Give them a chance first.”

But Rizal from Wangsa Maju said even if PH manages to fix the economy in one term, his vote will go back to BN in the next elections.

“For now, we just have to put up with it, since we’ve wrongly voted, we can’t do anything else,” he said.

“But even if this government improves, I have decided that from the time they said that a manifesto is not a promise, I will not gamble my future (on them) any more.” – May 8, 2019.

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Comments

  • PH should give priority in bringing down the prices of goods.

    Posted 5 years ago by SWEE KEONG TAI · Reply

  • Malays are angry because Apaandi is not AG and Najib is not finance minister.Why only get feedback from only the racist?

    Posted 5 years ago by Soma Govin · Reply

  • You expect 61 years of mismanagement to be solved overnight? You contributed to this sad state of affairs by voting BN previously. Suck it up.

    Posted 5 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply

  • Merdeka Center constantly conducts survey on negative points. This is in order that they stay relevant and make headlines. Why don't you conduct surveys on the urban professionals as well. Don't we matter at all ?

    Posted 5 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply

  • I can only say that you set your expectation too high.

    Posted 5 years ago by Chean Ang Heng · Reply

  • You are fortunate that BN lost had they remained in power the thieves will suck up the treasury and all GLCs dry, then you will not only feel the pinch but your children and grand child will suffer. See for yourself the millions and billions stolen by those in position of authority knowing they will be let loose. These are the hard earned money by the rakyat and at the expense of development for the country. Tell me after you have experienced the the hardship who you will vote for.

    Posted 5 years ago by Justin Leno · Reply

  • The end word is education and competencies. Both factures are so lacking in Malaysia. PH is a year old in governance of the country and though true that the debts left by Najib and his goons are extremely heavy and cannot be absorbed in 12 months. TDM must step down immediately, he did his part but now the time for him to withdraw is overdue. Beside gunning for Najib/Rosmah there is nothing significant he achieve as PM. His bygone days are done and gone, repetition always leave a bad taste. If TDM is allowed to remain holding the realm he will be causing as much damages to the country as Najib did. Najib stole but TDM was never a good manager. During his 22 yrs tenor Malaysia did not progress, in fact Malaysia eroded under his premiership and Najib crippled the country financially. It is good to have the ambition to become a Asian Tiger. The same ambition was on the table when TDM was PM. With the immerse natural resources at his disposal he did not failed to make Malaysia a Asian Tiger. TDM was and is not a visionary, he know nothing about economics and he play too much the race and religion politics, even today. Najib/Hadi followed his footsteps since they are in opposition and they are beating TDM at this game. It is about time Anwar take over, TDM's reputation have been shot to hell way back and he is not attracting investors, at least the major players from the economic arena. Ending my thoughts, Malaysia have to absolutely upgrade it's educational level. Leave race and religion out of the education field. Stop using BM as the only language of education, stop giving priviledged quoto to malays. Send the best to get the best education. 6 decades of priviledges have lead to the result today for the malays, complacent, lazy and making more demands.

    Posted 5 years ago by Jon Lam · Reply

  • yes. LGE just know how to collect...tun is more worry about his legacy. 30% of half past 6 cabinet. next election, I stay at home play golf lah

    Posted 5 years ago by . . · Reply

  • Rice is cheaper. Toll got discount. Internet package cheaper. LRT card RM100 unlimited ride. RON 95 is stable and many more. Why just ask a few despatch riders and hawkers.

    Posted 5 years ago by SY L · Reply

  • If anyone says it is better under BN, this is purely naive

    Posted 5 years ago by SY L · Reply

  • How BN offered goodies to the poor in the past is like a Robin Hood act. In the long run, it is bad for democracy and economy

    pH is doing the right things now and given time everything will be better as we see more justice, fairness and opportunities for all.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply