FOR every RM300 petrol you had used, the Government had paid for you RM125 in the form of subsidy.

In other words, the Government had actually paid you RM125 without you realising it most of the time.

This is among measures taken by the Government to help the rakyat in their day-to-day living.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, in highlighting the petrol subsidy, said this was among the practical ways to help the people instead of making empty promises to them.

He said Pakatan Rakyat, on the other hand, had pledged to abolish the toll, higher education loan fund (PTPTN), taxes on cars, and ensure a minimum monthly household income of RM4,000 for the people if they take over the Federal Government.

“These Pakatan pledges, if and when implemented, will cost the Government about RM200bil a year, and the country will go bankrupt within two years,” he said, adding that the Pakatan dare not challenge him though he had openly highlighted the matter many times.

“This also goes to show that Pakatan is insincere and irresponsible in its bid to garner support from the people so that it can wrest power in the coming general election.”

Speaking at the opening of the Ipoh Hawkers and Petty Traders Association’s 13th anniversary celebration at Tow Boo Keong Temple, Ipoh on Tuesday, Dr Chua said:

“The people’s rice bowl is most important.

“There is no point talking about politics the whole day when our livelihood is at stake.”

He said any political party that does not have the interest of the people in mind is not worthy of the people’s support.

Dr Chua said a responsible government would strive to bring development to the country and improve the people’s lives.

Lighted up: Dr Chua along with Perak MCA leaders and Ipoh Hawkers and Petty traders association representatives holding lanterns to mark the opening of the event.

For instance, he said the country’s per capita income had gone up to RM30,000 a year now, against RM20,000 when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak became Prime Minister in April 2009.

The per capita income is set to reach RM50,000 by year 2020 when Malaysia achieved the status of a high income and developed nation, he added.

Dr Chua, who is a member of the high powered National Economic Council chaired by the Prime Minister, said the economic transformation programmes put in place by Najib had shown good results.

“Malaysia has recorded a 5.1% economic growth in the first half of this year.

“Singapore’s economic growth within the same period is 1.5%.

“Malaysia has also beaten countries like Japan and South Korea in this aspect,” he said.

While many countries worldwide are facing massive unemployment, Dr Chua said Malaysia was facing labour shortage, and had to depend on foreign workers.

“Many of the hawker stalls in the Klang Valley for instance are manned by foreign workers.

“In many cases, the only Chinese is the boss at the counter manning the cash register,” he said, lamenting that the char kway teow was not as good as those prepared by the locals.

On education, Dr Chua said the Government had been emphasising a lot on nurturing talents in the country so that they could contribute to the country’s development.

Beginning this year, all SPM students who scored 9A+ and STPM students with straight 4As had been offered government scholarships, he said, adding that 1,609 SPM students and 296 STPM students had qualified this year.

On the Education Blueprint announced recently, Dr Chua said every school in the country would have an important role to play in raising the country’s education standard by 2025.

For instance, he said the Government’s aim was to push the country’s ranking in Mathematics and Science to be among the top 25 in 13 years time.

“We currently ranked 52 among 74 countries in the list,” he added.

Dr Chua said the various programmes, like the Economic Transformation Programme put in place by Najib were on track.

The people’s support, he added, was vital to ensure everything went on smoothly.

Dr Chua urged the people to make comparisons between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan before going to the ballot box this round.

Barisan was not perfect, he said, adding that despite having its weaknesses, the coalition had a clear direction for the country.

Dr Chua hoped the people could continue to give Barisan candidates a chance in the coming elections.

At the event, Dr Chua, who is also Perak MCA chairman, announced RM50,000 for the association’s building fund

Perak MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Ipoh Timur MCA Youth chief Tony Khoo also pledged RM10,000 and RM5,000 for the association respectively.

-The STAR-