Price Hike in Malaysia

The DPM wants us Malaysians to adapt to the higher fuel prices. But I’m beginning to feel the pain of it even though I don’t own a vehicle nor have to pay for fuel. The hike seems to be the excuse for every other business to hike up their pricing as well. Of course, it seems logical as nearly all product of businesses need to be transported in some way or other.

Going out for meals nowadays cost RM0.30 more for a plate of kueh tiaw or the likes. For people like me who eat out everyday, it can be quite a burden in the long run. I guess I may have to start bringing out the wok and eat in from now on…gone are the days of RM2.50 a meal.

Public transportation had already increased in price over the last year. I wonder how much I have to pay to get to Uni now. A couple years ago, one bus trip used to be RM2.50. Then it went up to RM3.15. Now I wonder how exhorbitantly has it gone up.

I guess Malaysians are complaining not because of the high cost of living, as we are still one of the cheapest countries in the world, but more because even as the prices keep going up, our salaries remain the same since the last decade or so. As much as people want to save and live prudently, it is not easy especially if you’re living in the big city like KL and the likes. Even in tiny ol’ Kuching, hanging out with friends to catch up over coffee can mean spending over RM12 for a glass of mochalicious creamy blended coffee… erm…

Well, nonetheless this is reality we are facing. I want to trust God to provide, but He also gave us wisdom to plan and budget. (which I think I never did when it come to finances…). Something we’d have to start doing with much wisdom from above from now on…