Sabah, Sarawak should demand 25% oil royalty

Debate itself the winner in Anwar-Shabery duel
By Wan Hamidi Hamid
UPDATED

KUALA LUMPUR. July 15 — It doesn't matter who the winner was in the first-ever American-style live TV debate in the country tonight — with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek taking centrestage to argue about fuel price hikes. The real winner was the debate itself.

Concluded quickly within an hour with a format quite similar to the American presidential candidate debates, with a rostrum each for the debater on stage, the most glaring thing for all to see was the quality of debate.

Some may say Anwar, the de facto leader of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, won the debate as he focused on the issue at hand — the fuel price hike — while Ahmad Shabery, the Information Minister, seemed to take cheap shots at Anwar especially his younger days as a rabble rouser.

Anwar proposed to reduce the current petrol pump price by 50 sen the moment his opposition coalition of PKR, PAS and DAP take over the Federal Government.

"Petronas has announced a special dividend RM6 billion to the government for this year. Why can't I take RM1 billion of that to reduce the petrol price by 50 sen?" he said to applause from a section of the 300-strong audience in the Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka Hall in Kuala Lumpur.

Elaborating further, he promised to slash pump prices further once his Pakatan Rakyat coalition took over, saying it is an initial 50 sen because the Barisan Nasional government had just hiked prices by 70 sen from RM1.92 per litre previously.

The former deputy prime minister made it clear from the start of the debate that he was not questioning national oil company Petronas but his criticisms were directed at the BN government which he alleged was rife with mismanagement and economic abuse, citing Malaysia's high electricity reserves as a waste as it only benefited the independent power producers (IPPs).

He argued the government could save RM2 billion from reducing electricity reserves, adding an additional RM3 billion to finance the 50-sen reduction can be sourced elsewhere. "Five billion is enough to help lighten the burden on the rakyat. The Perwaja bailout was RM13 billion of government money."

In his reply, Ahmad Shabery argued that "if we continue at RM1.92, it means the government is forced to bear the subsidy of RM50 billion and this means many development programmes, building of schools, roads and improving people's livelihood cannot be implemented.”

"We should know that the price increase is not our doing but due to the world oil price crisis. This is not the first time we have had a world oil crisis. The first time was in 1973-74 when after the Arab-Israeli Ramadan war. Oil price increased by 400 per cent, from US$10 a barrel to US$40 in six months.

"But it was also an important year because the late Tun Razak (the then Prime Minister) set up Petronas in a pressured situation because the world outside pressured us not to take away the rights given to Shell at that time. Shell was set up by the British before they left," he said, also to applause from his supporters.

The information minister also explained that subsidies could not be sustained for a long time because it would hamper real economic growth.

In a question-and-answer session, Ahmad Shabery was asked about the RM4.3 billion savings from an earlier fuel price increase in 2006 that was meant to be used to improve public transport but only RM834 million was used for that purpose, leading people to be cynical about the purported RM13 billion in savings in the latest subsidy cut.

The minister dismissed the question, saying that in 2006 the international fuel price was just US$70 a barrel whereas it has now reached US$140 a barrel, and went on to argue that countries such as Venezuela and Iran which heavily subsidised fuel had very high inflation rates.

Anwar however argued that Malaysia's real inflation rate of some eight per cent was caused by economic mismanagement, not by the global oil price increase. "If the Barisan Nasional says that the fuel price can be increased in a sudden and it will not be followed by increasing price of goods and services, I want to know who teaches them this kind of economic management.

"We're an oil-producing country and for every US$1 increase per barrel, we make RM360 million. Why can't we do something good with this?" Anwar thundered.

To this, Ahmad Shabery argued that Malaysia was not even in the top 20 oil-producing countries list, let alone a major player.

"We're just a small nett exporter of oil. Our profits are only 26 per cent of our oil revenue. The rest we received from the (Petronas) investments. By 2015, when we become a nett importer of oil, will we then adhere to the global price?"

In reply, Anwar said: "Who told us that our oil will deplete in 2015? Thirty years ago Petronas projected that our oil will run out by 2005. It's just a projection. I believe we have a lot more capacity."

When Ahmad Shabery pointed out that Anwar too was responsible for problems pertaining to the IPPs which are still reaping profits despite the current economic situation as he was a Cabinet minister then, the former finance minister demanded a check of record to prove that he had opposed the IPP plans approved by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Towards the end of the debate, Ahmad Shabery repeated his argument that Anwar was still a rabble rouser and that during Anwar's time in the government he would never allowed others, especially the opposition, to participate in an open debate such as the one held tonight.

Ahmad Shabery had earlier accused Anwar of inciting the people to rise up against the government over claims of poverty in Baling, Kedah in 1974.

Pointing out these were cheap shots, Anwar explained that he was here to debate an economic issue only but would be willing to debate on other matters, including personal allegations against him, at another forum.

Besides a minor fracas before the start of the debate outside the hall as well as a very heavy police presence around the building and the surrounding area, the event, organised by AgendaDaily.com was a largely peaceful event. It was telecast live on TV9 and Astro channels 119, 501 and 502 apart from being webcast by IP Global TV.

Anwar Ibrahim wins debate on oil

From Malaysia Today
Posted by Erin
Tuesday, 15 July 2008

On the other hand, it was a very successful political appearance by Anwar Ibrahim who is facing police interrogation on Wednesday 16th July for what his party and his supporters calls yet another ‘conspiracy’ revolving around a sodomy case.
A clear victory with solid arguments and a show of professionalism is what Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and now de-facto leader of the Opposition delivered on local television. His contender, Minister Saberi Cheek was full of rhetoric and made direct personal attacks against Anwar in a show of no competence from a Minister.

“It was ‘classic, timepiece’ Anwar Ibrahim. I have not seen such an Anwar on TV for a very long time. I bet there will be no further debates in the future,” said a member of the public, watching the debate on channel 119 on Astro, the Malaysian satellite television station.

“Deplorable it is that the debate on oil was held in the presence of a crowd (at least a large number of the crowd) that came to listen to the political bashing of Anwar Ibrahim by Saberi Cheek, not to support a civilized and professional debate between two politicians,” said another member of the public.

“Good enough though that Anwar Ibrahim won the debate upper handed, crushing the weak and ill-prepared Saberi Cheek on all grounds,” she added.

It was a fabulous 12-0 victory for Anwar Ibrahim, a victory that could lead the country to a massive change of regime in any future general elections. Anwar Ibrahim hinted that with the government continuing to ignore the facts, the ruling coalition was fated to a much bleaker future.

While Anwar was responding to the questions with facts and figures, Minister Saberi Cheek, who is Minister of Information of Malaysia, was busy referring to the role of Anwar as loose cannon in the 1970’s. Minister Saberi Cheek made several references to Anwar’s role as Minister of Finance in the past, which prompted responses from Anwar about the debate which was not concerning Anwar but the issue of oil price hike in Malaysia.

Besides being rhetorical, Minister Saberi was very ‘partisan’ in pointing issues that had nothing to do with the debate, showing difficulties to handle his direct opponent on major issues of economics and social responsibilities. Minister Saberi Cheek used his emotions to try propelling himself to the same level as Anwar. He might have succeeded in the election evening like propaganda but faced with Anwar; the Minister stumbled completely and delivered one of his government’s worst performances on television.

Anwar on the other hand, a fine gentleman, was more often direct to the point, refusing to be dragged into the political ploy from the Minister and his aide and answering all the questions with tact and logic. His strategy worked well and the display of this performance on television – for the first time in Malaysian history – will only fuel his popularity further and dampen the government’s claims of incapacity to restore the subsidy on oil.

Anwar explained that it was a debate on oil and how to reduce the price in order to redress the economy of the country, which he suggested was going astray and was imposing much pain on the population. He had to complain at least 4 times to the Minister that the latter was out of focus. He even said that if it was so hard for the Minister to understand the reason of the debate in the first place then it is ‘difficult’.

Anwar said the government could reverse the decision taken in April this year when it increased the price of oil by 41 percent, with the fuel price jumping from Rm1.92 to Rm2.70, which he said he would be able to reduce by Rm0.50 cent if he was in power.

He added that by imposing transparency and good governance his government or the opposition in power would be able to restore fuel subsidies but also correct the imbalances in the economy. He added that the country had a much bigger inflation figure, suggesting that the current inflationary figure given by the government was incorrect.

Lambasting the Minister with a ‘who would teach you’ that if oil price is increased in a country, inflation remains at its former level, Anwar said in the case of a country like Malaysia it was obvious that oil price increase had affected other products too.

Anwar explained that the debate was not about demonizing Petronas, the National Petroleum Company of Malaysia but to show the incompetence of the government in dealing with the global oil price rise. The Minister insisted that Anwar Ibrahim was attacking Petronas and the government, which ostensibly was not th

Anwar just edges past Shabery

The Malaysian Insider
ANALYSIS

JULY 15 — Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek does not have to clear out his office tomorrow.

The information minister did not disgrace himself in the much-anticipated debate with opposition icon Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tonight; he kept on the message, got in a flurry of verbal jabs and came across as an earnest politician who believes that the government acted responsibly by cutting fuel subsidies.

On any other night and against any other politician, the man from Kemaman would have been a clear winner. Not tonight.

Tonight he was up against one of the country's most skilled orators, someone who has been working audiences since he was a student leader in the 1970s. Someone who has always managed to paper over shortcomings in economics or other topics with a quick mind, a charming smile and a sharp retort.

Both men came out of the 52-minute debate with much credit, but Anwar edged it on the basis that he executed his game plan well. From the onset, his approach was to treat the debate like one big political ceramah, perhaps realising that this would be his last opportunity to address the nation on television for some time to come.

The former finance minister was not interested in getting tangled in a detailed discussion on numbers or the mechanics of sustaining low fuel prices when Malaysia becomes a nett importer of petrol. Instead, he spoke the language of populism.

His game plan was to show that the Barisan Nasional acted in haste and irresponsibly when it raised fuel prices drastically. "Why did the government after promising not to increase the fuel price go back on its promise? '' he boomed. Surely, if the government wanted to reduce subsidies it could have done so gradually, he added.

His game plan was to convince Malaysians that the Opposition, and not the BN, has the answers to navigating the economy in these troubled times. He noted that Pakatan Rakyat's plan of reducing the pump price by 50 sen would only cost the government an additional RM2 billion, and this money could be easily found.

For example, noting that Petronas has decided to give the government a special dividend of RM6 billion, he wondered why the authorities could not set aside RM1 billion to lighten the burden of lower-income Malaysians.

On a few occasions during the debate, Anwar blamed the country's economic ills on the leakages in the system, corruption and mismanagement. He lashed out at the government for molly-coddling the independent power producers (IPPs), saying that the government should re-look their contracts.

Instead of making a few cronies rich, the government should lighten the load of the majority.

Ahmad Shabery responded: "This is again a populist speech. Talking is easy.'' He noted that the IPP contracts were signed when Anwar was the deputy prime minister. Anwar replied by implying that he was against the decision to award lopsided contracts to the IPPs.

Both men missed the point. In the business world, the contract is sacrosanct. No contract — no-matter how one-sided — can be reviewed unilaterally. Do so and risk incurring the wrath of the business community and foreign investors.

The minister argued that what was happening in Malaysia was part of a global phenomenon. Countries all over the world were raising fuel prices because the price of crude oil had surpassed US$140 per barrel. Even in top oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, though the pump price was very low, inflation had hit double digits.

So the rising cost of living was not the result of poor management or corruption as alleged by Anwar. The spike in the oil price was pushing up prices of goods and services across the board, he said.

Anwar's response was simple: in many oil-producing countries, people only had to deal with rising inflation. But in Malaysia, the public faced a double whammy of high fuel prices and rising cost of living.

When it was over, Anwar walked over to Ahmad Shabery and shook his hand.

Tomorrow the information minister will walk with a spring in his step. He acquitted himself well in a battle against arguably the best orator in Malaysia today.

Watching the debate tonight was akin to watching newly-promoted Hull City go to Old Trafford, match the giants for 90 minutes and lose 1-0 to an injury-time goal.

LIVE: Anwar vs Shabery in the Great Oil Price Debate

Anwar and Shabery shake hands at the end of the debate. So what do you think? Who was the more convincing? Respond to the poll on the sidebar.

2151: Why don’t you give your ideas without talk of changing government, Dato Seri?

Anwar: If they accept our suggestion, we will support them. In Feb 2006, after an earlier price hike, there was 4.8 per cent inflation. Now, after the price hike, inflation has soared to nearly 8 per cent in a month. Venezuela and Iran may have low oil price and high inflation, but we now have high oil price and high inflation! Look at the countries around us - how we have lost out to them in competitiveness. I still believe Malaysia, with its resources, has the potential if it cleans up its act.

Shabery: Mahathir has been blamed for the IPPs, but Anwar was once singing the praises of Mahathir. He should have resigned back then. Why is he only talking about a 50-sen reduction now when the oil price was RM1.92 before the election and he promised to reduce it then? We will only burden the country with high subsidies and could end up in debt to international “money lenders”.

Petronas alone (not the group) gives 91 per cent of its profit to the government. What else is there to give? Petronas is strong because of the government of Umno and BN. We do not burden Petronas but allow it to reinvest. About this talk of abuse of power - we are not alone in raising prices; it’s a global problem.

Anwar: Among oil producers, our price is high. If we want our economy to be strong, if we continue in this direction, our economy will be severely undermined. That’s why I am committed to explaining to the people. I will not respond to Shabery’s personal attacks. I don’t have space on RTM after this. I give you my assurance that i will contest in a by-election in the shortest time.

Shabery: Anwar hasn’t changed much. Those who built Petronas - Razak, Mahathir, Abdullah - Anwar has opposed them. If we continue to ask more money from Petronas to subsidise the country, we could end up poorer and Petronas could end up being taken over. Our GDP growth is 6 per cent, much better than many others. The debate now shows how open the government has become.

2140: In a few years we might not have enough oil. What do we do then? Should we continue the subsidy, or are you going to have a sharp price rise then?

Anwar: Who gave the figure of oil depletion in a few years? That assumes there are no further oil discoveries. Some 30 years ago, our reserves were supposed to last until 2005. Petronas then went abroad to explore. I defend Petronas but I criticise the BN.

The mismanagement of the government, the leakages… It’s true, the IPPs were during my time, but look at the record. Ani Arope was opposed to the EPU and the Prime Minister’s Dept over the IPPs. That’s why he quit.

The IPPs have made billions but those on the losing side are Petronas and TNB. We could plug the leakages and cronyism and save a total of RM3 billion. Who’s idea is this of a sharp oil price rise? This is a IMF-World Bank prescription! It is slanderous to say that I bowed to IMF wishes back in 1997-98.

Petronas said there was a special dividend for the government of RM6 billion this year. Can’t we take RM1 billion of this to reduce the oil price? It is not an issue of Pakatan Rakyat. It is for the people. We are staring at economic recession and unemployment.

2132: Why do you focus on the price of oil and not talk about income tax or reducing inflation?

Shabery: We are not a major oil producer. We are just a minor producer. We are just a small net exporter. Only 26 per cent of Petronas profit is from domestic sources. Petronas has to use its profits to find oil abroad. We now have a world renown oil corporation. Don’t make Petronas too poor.

Anwar: Shabery, who compared Malaysia to Venezuela and Iran? We should look at Malaysia as an oil exporter. The sharp rise has caused economic deterioration. Why did the government break its pre-election promise not to raise oil prices? Who is saying anything about taking Petronas money? My argument is to look at the IPPs and wipe out corruption. Why don’t we manage our treasury better to ease the suffering of the people?

Shabery: This is a populist argument. We can accept it if our oil is isolated from the world or if our oil is the only one that is expensive in the world. The IPPs existed when Anwar was in government, and he defended their contracts back then. Anwar used the methods that the IMF favoured to try and resolve the 1997-98 crisis. It is easy to talk when you are outside. Even with their difficulties now, believe me, the people have enough to eat. Show me a country which gives cheap oil without high inflation.

2128: When you were Finance Minister you sent up a Tabung Warisan. What was the aim?

Anwar: The idea was to keep part of our earnings for the future, but that was not maintained. The sharp price now has led to spiralling inflation. It will have adverse effects. But each rise of US$1 in the price of oil actually results in RM360 million income for us. Right now, the sharp rise in inflation will lead to a deterioration in the economy.

2125: In 2006, when there was a price hike, the government said it would improve public transport. Now they are saying that they are going to use the substantial savings for the benefit of the people. Can we believe that?

Shabery: All the countries that have cheap oil - look at Venezuela and Iran, look at their high inflation rates. We can now overcome our food price crisis. Our rice is cheaper than Thailand. We don’t have to demonstrate on the road or hold indecent concerts.

2120: Your premise of a 50 sen reduction is because Malaysia is an oil producer. But your points about IPP had nothing to do with oil. Are you going to distribute what has been collected through the hard work of others so that you get a good name?

Anwar: IPPs are also involved with oil and gas. Petronas has made a huge profit; its profit ranks it among the top 10 oil companies. We will definitely ask Petronas to reinvest. But Petronas is the right of the people. Are we just going to look after the tycoons and the cronies or the people? The 50 sen reduction is just the first step. The extreme price hike has won no support. The only ones supporting it are the BN MPs..

2111: Would the government have to subsidise foreign oil companies in retail sales if there is a price subsidy as Petronas alone does not control the retail market?

Shabery: If subsidies are given out, it would benefit the rich and foreigners as well. Why don’t we give the money straight to the people who need it? Finland and Norway etc do not have subsidies and have shown good economic performance.

Anwar: If you want to compare with Norway, it has 10 times the per capita income of Malaysia. The petrol price is hurting the poor and marginalised groups and aggravating their suffering. It is our responsibility. Such a sharp rise is burdening the people. If Umno and the ruling coalition don’t realise this, then their future is bleak. What about infrastructure spending - isn’t that a form of subsidy for companies? But we call that “incentives”. On the other hand, aid for the people is called “subsidies”, which are given a negative connotation.

2107: Shabery responds that the government would have to incur a subsidy of RM50 billion if it maintained the price at RM1.92 and that would affect development. He said that global factors also influence the oil price. He recalled the first global crisis in 1973-74, which worsened inflation including in Malaysia. Petronas was formed back then, which wasn’t easy. The people supported Razak’s move. Anwar protested against Razak back then. And Anwar was now doing this again.

2102: Anwar kicks off with his opening statement. He insists that with proper economic management and eradication of corruption, an immediate cut in petrol price of 50 sen is possible. He speaks of the suffering felt by many, particularly the Malays and bumis in Sabah. He points out that TNB has to pay for 40 per cent excess capacity and how Petronas has made an excellent profit of RM100 billion - which could enable the government to raise RM3 billion for distribution to the people through a price reduction.

2100: The one-hour live debate gets underway at Balai Budaya. The moderator warns against raising irrelevant issues. Both speakers receive decent applause.

Share your comments on the debate over TV9, Astro Awani and Bernama TV from 9.00pm. This live write up is specially for those of you who don’t have access to these three stations and those abroad who would like to follow the debate. Please note this is not a verbatim transcript; it just covers the main points raised or emphasised and paraphrases much of what was said.

The above picture was downloaded from MT.

DO YOU ALL AGREE TO THE SCORE ??

Harga minyak: Razaleigh mula ancam Abdullah
Saturday, 19 July 2008
(Harakah) - Selepas pengakuan Ketua Umum KeADILan Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim bahawa beliau boleh menurunkan harga minyak sebanyak 50 sen kini calon Presiden Umno Tengku Razaliegh pula mendakwa dirinya juga mempunyai cara tersendiri menurunkan bahan api tersebut.

Tengku Razaliegh yakin boleh turunkan harga minyak selepas beberapa hari Menteri Penerangan Dato' Shabery Cheek mempertahankan Perdana Menteri Abdullah Badawi dalam keputusan menaikan harga minyak secara mendadak.
Menurut Dewan Pemuda PAS, kenyataan terbaru Razaleigh walaupun menafikan sebagai kempen politik tetapi mesej yang begitu jelas ditujukan kepada kegagalan Abdullah Badawi menjaga kepentingan rakyat.

Ketua Pemuda PAS, Salahuddin Ayub berkata, idea yang tercetus oleh Razaliegh itu sama dengan pandangan Pakatan Rakyat sebagaimana yang dinyatakan oleh Anwar Ibrahim dalam debat baru-baru ini.

"Yang penting dua pencabar Abdullah Badawi telah bersepakat harga minyak boleh diturunkan jika kerajaan memikirkan beban yang ditanggung oleh rakyat," tegas Salahuddin.

Tambahnya, Razaliegh dan Anwar adalah bekas Menteri Kewangan yang kini disebut-sebut bakal menggantikan Abdullah sebagai Perdana Menteri ekoran terpalitnnya Dato' Seri Najib Razak dengan isu Altantuya serta kejayaan Abdullah Badawi menjerat timbalannya dalam pelan peralihan kuasa pada 2010.

Salahuddin berkata, Razaliegh menyedari ada usaha-usaha untuk menghalang mana-mana ahli Umno bertanding jawatan Presiden Umno sedang giat dijalankan.

"Di satu sudut, Pak Lah menggunakan MT Umno untuk membuat arahan supaya Presiden Umno tidak ditandingi kerana peralihan kuasa akan dibuat pada 2010; sedang di sudut yang lain, usaha melobi Perhubungan Umno negeri-negeri supaya menyokong Pak Lah secara terbuka juga dibuat," katanya.

Dalam masa sama, Salahuddin berkata, peraturan berkempen diwujudkan untuk menyekat tokoh Umno tertentu daripada berkempen terutama yang tidak berjawatan menteri.

"Semua pendekatan ini adalah untuk menyelamatkan Abdullah Badawi, di samping MT terus mengekalkan peraturan 30 peratus pencalonan untuk jawatan Presiden Umno," tambah beliau.

Sehubungan itu, Salahuddin berkata, Razaliegh adalah satu-satunya pemimpin Umno yang dilihat layak menentang Abdullah Badawi untuk jawatan tersebut, beliau bukan sahaja lebih berpengalaman bahkan telah terbukti kebolehannya mentadbir.

"Semenjak zaman Tun Hussein Onn nama Ku Li disebut sebagai bakal Perdana Menteri, tetapi Dr Mahathir yang dipilih oleh Tun Hussein. Pada zaman Mahathir, Ku Li telah memperlihatkan pengaruhnya sehingga Umno 'dibiarkan' haram untuk menyekat peluang Ku Li," katanya.

Kini, kata Salahuddin, Najib sudah terjerat dengan Altantuya dan hampir hilang kelayakan, dan Razaliegh mula menggunakan isu-isu yang tiada kaitan dengan Umno seperti isu harga minyak untuk memancing sokongan ahli Umno.

"Ku Li nampaknya lebih sependapat dengan pembangkang yang mewakili suara rakyat dalam hal ini, berbanding Pak Lah yang buntu dalam mengatasi kenaikan harga minyak global," katanya.

Anwar gagal pertahan formula penurunan petrol serta merta apabila berkuasaPosted on Wednesday, July 16 @ 11:47:18 MYT
Topic: RENCANA


Mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri dan banduan salah guna kuasa Anwar Ibrahim malam ini gagal mempertahankan skima khusus dengan logik bagaimana beliau boleh menjanjikan penurunan harga runcit petrol sejurus selepas mengambil alih tampuk pemerintahan Negara.

Beliau setakat mengulangi janji manis yang kosong dan hanya rhetorik berupa kenyataan (orang yang mencari perhatian dengan kepopularism) semata mata dengan menjanjikan bahawa RM 5 billion subsidi boleh diberikan dari pelaksanaan semula perjanjian pembelian tenaga dengan pembekal tenaga bebas (IPP). Dengan RM 5 billion ini, beliau menjanjikan pengurangan serta merta RM 0.50 seliter harga runcit petrol dari RM 2.70 sekarang ini.


Setakat yang orang ramai sedar, Kerajaan membelanjakan subsidi sebanyak hampir RM 50 billion untuk mengekalkan subisidi sebanyak RM 1.20 seliter untuk harga runcit petrol. RM 5 billion patutnya hanya akan memberi kesan sebanyak 12 sen seliter harga runcit pasaran dan bukan 50 sen, sebagaimana dijanjikan secara bersahaja oleh Anwar.

Anwar mendakwa berlaku ketirisan dan kebocoran ketara dalam perjanjian pembelian tenaga, yang kununya memihak kepada pembekal tenaga bebas (IPP) dan mengaut RM billion dari keuntungan. Anwar sengaja memanipulasikan fakta bahawa beliau merupakan Menteri Kewangan semasa kebanyak perjanjian ini ditanda tangani dan beliau pada masa itu mempunyai kuasa veto untuk menentukan perjanjian yang membebankan TNB tidak dilaksana.

Mungkin Anwar juga percayai rata rata rakyat Malaysia akan terlupa bahawa syarikat pembekal tenaga bebas seperti Kumpulan MRCB (Malakoff dan Segari) merupakan ‘kroni’ beliau, semasa menjawat Menteri Kewangan. Beliau juga mempunyai hubungan baik dengan Genting dan Arab Malaysian, juga pembekal tenaga bebas yang aktif.

Menteri Penerangan Dato’ Ahmad Shabery Cheek juga berjaya memberi gambaran yang baik mengenai kemampuan Anwar membuat keputusan strategik dalam soal ekonomi dengan memberikan contoh preskripsi IMF yang Anwar bawa semasa krisis ekonomi dan kewangan 1997-8, yang sememangnya memberikan kesan buruk kepada banyak syarikat dan industri, samada IKS maupun yang gergasi.

Memperjudikan ekonomi negara dengan menjanjikan subsidi yang tidak mungkin dapat ditampung jangkamasa panjang kerana sistem menentukan harga pasaran minyak mentah bukanlah sesuatu yang Kerajaan Malaysia mampu mengawal. Kebarangkalian Anwar sebenarnya mempunyai kefahaman amat lemah mengenai sistem harga runcit petrol dan kos sebenar saringan dan penyediaan petrol, termasuk kos penghantaran dan pemasaran, adalah tinggi. Anwar juga gagal menjelaskan perjanjian pengeluaran minyak mentah yang rata rata secara majoriti dikuasai kontraktor asal industri minyak Malaysia. Petronas, yang ditubuhkan 1974, mula bergiat melombong minyak dengan sendiri lebih sepuluh tahun kemudian. Ini lebih kurang 80 tahun lewat berbanding Shell, di Sarawak.


Melemparkan sesuatu yang didambakan rakyat dengan harapan mengunung, adalah memang cara biasa Anwar untuk meraih sokongan. Subsidi yang Anwar janjikan ini lambat laung akan membebankan Kerajaan dan sebagaimana Shabery mempersoalkan, apakah wajar Malaysia berhutang untuk mengekalkan subsidi yang Anwar janjikan ini, tatkala harga pasaran minyak mentah makin naik, terutama akibat penyangak pasaran hadapan.

Anwar, dengan cara penyampaian oratori hebat yang mengaburi pemikiran, mungkin berjaya memberikan rakyat Malaysia gambaran bahawa Malaysia merupakan pengeluar penting bahan bakar paling berharga dunia itu. Malangnya, sebagai pengeluar berjumlah 700 ribu tong sehari, kedudukan Malaysia sebagai pengeluar bersih (net producer) adalah hanya 1.2% dari keperluan dunia. Memang ada kewajaran bahawa bekalan minyak sekitar perairan negara tidaklah banyak tinggal lagi kerana telaga sekitar Malaysia yang telahpun mula dikorek semenjak seabad ini (jauh lebih awal dari negara seperti Saudi dan Kuwait, pengeluar paling utama dunia). Anwar juga gagal menjelaskan bahawa Malaysia lebih bergantung kepada pendapatan dari pengeluaran gas asli dan subsidi yang diberikan kepada bahan bakar ini sebenarnya hampir RM 2.00 seliter.


Kewajaran hujah Mantan Perdana Menteri Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad yang mencadangkan subsidi ini ditarik berperingkat sementara peluang meningkatkan pendapatan dipelbagaikan merupakan sesuatu yang Anwar sebenarnya mampu permodalkan. Malangnya, sebagaimana biasa, kepentingan Negara dan rakyat tidak langsung, terutama jangkamasa panjang dan strategik, menjadi perkiraan Anwar, yang sememangnya mendambakan kuasa dengan apa cara sekalipun.

Kegagalan Anwar ini hanya kerana pembohongan akan berjaya menurunkan harga runcit petrol yang berjaya dilaksanakan sebagai strategi ekonomi, merupakan modal yang dicanang sebelum Pilihanraya Umum ke XII, dimana harga pasaran minyak mentah pada masa itu tidaklah setinggi hari ini.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Anwar Tidak Kemukakan Formula Mapan Turunkan Harga Minyak




KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Julai (Bernama) — Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tidak mengemukakan formula menurunkan harga bahan api yang meyakinkan dan mapan pada debat khas mengenai Hari ini membentuk kerajaan, esok turun harga minyak.


Walaupun beliau berhujah dengan petah dan menarik hati penonton terutama penyokongnya menerusi retoriknya, formula yang dibentangkan berjaya dipatahkan oleh lawannya Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Menteri Penerangan.


Menteri itu, lebih banyak mengemukakan fakta mempertahankan tindakan kerajaan menstruktur semula subsidi minyak berbanding Anwar yang memilih pendekatan populis yang mengambil hati penonton.


Menurut Anwar harga bahan api boleh diturunkan 50 sen seliter sehari selepas sekira Pakatan Rakyat memerintah menerusi formula RM5 bilion digunakan bagi menampung penurunan harga minyak.


Menurutnya lagi wang itu dapat diperoleh dengan penjimatan perbelanjaan kerajaan termasuk mengatasi masalah kebocoran dan ketirisan, dan mengurangkan ’standby’ kapasiti pengeluaran tenaga daripada 40 peratus kepada 20 peratus oleh pengeluar tenaga bebas (IPP).


“Dengan mengurangkan kapasiti itu sahaja kita telah mendapat RM2 bilion, jadi RM3 bilion lagi diperoleh melalui penjimatan dan mengatasi kebocoran,” katanya.


Mematahkan hujah-hujah Anwar pada debat anjuran Agendadaily.com di Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) malam ini, Ahmad Shabery berkata cadangan Anwar itu sudah tidak lagi relevan berikutan harga minyak di pasaran dunia sekarang lebih mahal berbanding harga semasa formula itu diuar-uarkan sejak sebelum pilihan raya umum Mac lepas.


Beliau menjelaskan pada masa itu harga bahan api adalah RM1.92 seliter bagi petrol dan RM1.58 seliter diesel.


Berikutan harga setong minyak di pasaran dunia mencecah lebih US$130 setong, kerajaan terpaksa menstruktur semula subsidi bahan api, menjadikan harga di pam petrol RM2.70 seliter dan diesel RM2.58 seliter.


“Kalau kerajaan mengekalkan harga minyak pada kadar yang lama, ini bermakna subsidi yang terpaksa ditanggung oleh kerajaan ialah sebanyak RM50 bilion.


“Ini bermakna banyak program pembangunan, termasuk sekolah, jalan, Felda, soal orang di kampung tidak dapat dijalankan hanya untuk menampung cara hidup yang berterusan yang ada pada hari ini,” kata Ahmad Shabery.


Ahmad Shabery berkata kenaikan harga minyak adalah fenomena global yang berlaku di seluruh dunia akibat banyak faktor termasuk perang Iraq, kemungkinan Amerika Syarikat menyerang Iran dan peningkatan permintaan bahan api oleh China serta India.


Beliau berkata penyelesaian kepada masalah ini bukan dengan menambah subsidi secara konvensional tetapi memerlukan satu pendekatan baru menerusi penstrukturan subsidi bagi menjamin ia benar-benar disalur dan dinikmati oleh rakyat berpendapatan rendah.


“Kalau kita terus bagi subsidi, ada syarikat asing seperti Exxon-Mobil, Shell dan sebagainya yang turut mendapat faedah daripada wang rakyat,” katanya.


Beliau berkata kebanyakan negara lain turut mengambil pendekatan yang sama seperti Malaysia.


Ahmad Shabery yang turut membidas Anwar kerana mendakwa kenaikan harga minyak kerana pengurusan kerajaan yang tidak cekap, berkata malah Finland, Norway dan juga negara-negara yang dilaporkan kurang mempunyai kes rasuah tidak memberikan subsidi minyak kepada rakyatnya.


“Mereka telah menunjukkan prestasi ekonomi yang lebih baik dan Malaysia juga harus menuju ke arah itu,” katanya.


“Kalau kita mengajar rakyat kita dengan harga yang murah walaupun pada hakikatnya harga minyak antarabangsa adalah tinggi, tahun 2015 (apakah) kita akan menjadi net importer?


“Mungkin beberapa tahun lagi kita tidak ada minyak lagi.


Apakah subsidi begini akan diteruskan atau pada waktu itu baru hendak naik mendadak serta-merta daripada apa yang ada sekarang?” tanya Ahmad Shabery kepada Anwar.


Anwar bagaimanapun mempertikaikan sumber minyak negara akan habis pada 2015 dan mendakwa kemungkinan telaga minyak baru ditemui kerana negara pernah menjangka kehabisan simpanan minyak pada 2005.


Kata Anwar lagi Petronas juga giat menjalankan aktiviti mencarigali di luar negara.


Ahmad Shabery berkata Malaysia memang negara pengeksport minyak tetapi bukannya pengeluar besar, oleh itu khazanah negara perlu diuruskan dengan cermat bagi kepentingan generasi akan datang.


“Daripada keuntungan Petronas itu, sebenarnya yang telah diberi pada kerajaan ialah sebanyak 91 peratus, apa lagi yang kita nak ambil dari Petronas,” katanya disambut dengan tepukan penonton.


Ahmad Shabery, yang tidak luntur semangat menghadapi kepetahan Anwar berhujah menambah kata “Ingat Petronas kuat dan maju sekarang ini kerana siapa. Tidakkah kerana kerajaan Umno dan Barisan Nasional.


“Kehebatan yang dibuat oleh Petronas selama ini adalah dorongan yang diberikan kerajaan. Kita tidak bebankan Petronas, kita benarkan Petronas untuk menabur kembali (keuntungan),” katanya.


Penonton yang terdiri daripada 50 orang daripada Pakatan Rakyat dan 50 daripada pihak kerajaan mengikuti debat itu dengan tertib tanpa membuat sebarang kekecohan di Balai Budaya Tun Syed Nasir, DBP.


Begitu juga dengan ratusan penyokong kedua-dua belah pihak yang memberi sokongan moral di luar dewan.


Rata-rata penonton yang ditemui berpuas hati dengan perjalanan debat itu yang mereka sifatkan sebagai menyuburkan amalan demokrasi di negara ini.


“Anwar mengambil pendekatan mencuri hati penonton menerusi retorik yang menyentuh emosi penonton tetapi kurang meyakinkan dari segi mengemukakan kaedah sedangkan Ahmad Shabery lebih banyak mengemukakan fakta-fakta kukuh dan munasabah,” komen seorang penonton yang enggan namanya disebut.


Debat kira-kira sejam itu dikendalikan oleh pengerusi Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Datuk Johan Jafaar.



– BERNAMA


http://bigdogdotcom.wordpress.com

Komen dari pembaca MYKMU NET (Gerbang Tempur Maya - Kumpulan Menyokong UMNO) mengenai berita diatas "Anwar Gagal pertahan formula penurunan petrol serta merta apabila berkuasa."


Re: Anwar gagal pertahan formula penurunan petrol serta merta apabila berkuasa (Score: 1)
by tn on Wednesday, July 16 @ 13:09:26 MYT

hehehe satu lagi berita lawak. media arus perdana mesti mengikut keperluan PM. Inilah yang berlaku. PM dan kabinet sahaja yang betul. orang lain semua salah. Siapa yang ajar ini semua?. Che Det jugak. hehehehe. apa-apa pun ada jugalah debat macam ini. kalau zaman Che Det 22 tahun sunyi sepi pembangkang, tak dapat ruang kat tv macam malam semalam tu.



by budokpahi on Wednesday, July 16 @ 13:17:06 MYT

Aku tak kata aku suka kat Anuar..tapi bila di teliti semula hujah dan fakta adalah lebih jelas dan bermakna di pihak Penasihat PKR. Shabery tak jawab pun pasal RM4.3 billion yang baru RM300juta lebih digunakan, untuk kenaikan minyak tahun 2006 dahulu.(Soalan dari saudara Zulkifli Sulong).

Apa yang rata-rata kita nak dengar dari Shabery sebenarnya adalah logiknya kenaikan sehingga RM0.78 sen yang dirasakan sangat tinggi dan mendadak itu.Rakyat semakin merasakan keperitannya.

Kenaikan inflasi 6 ke 8 peratus untuk tempuh yang begitu singkat selepas kerajaan mengumumkan kenaikan harga minyak baru-baru ini.

Segalanya tak jelas dan Shabery lebih banyak menyentuh hal-hal peribadi DSAI.Itu kita dah tak mahu dengar lagi.

Secara peribadi dan rakan satu office (setakat yang aku baru servey) semuanya rasa agak kecewa dengan prestasi dan hujahan Dato Ahmad Shabery Cheek. Aku bagi DSAI 5 , DASC 0. KECEWA SUNGGUH..



by PolisAgung on Wednesday, July 16 @ 13:17:30 MYT

Aku pun nak tergelak jugak... hai bila nak dapat tengok menteri hat baru yang berwibawa...



by jainetz on Wednesday, July 16 @ 14:29:13 MYT

Apa sekalipun logiknya... KENAIKAN 40% minyak itu satu tindakan yang salah. MAKA memang susahlah nak menegakkan benang yang BASAH

Jawab la macam mana pun...

Aku rasa... rakyat Malaysia pun tak BODOH:

1. Nak percaya DS Anwar akan turun RM0.50 seliter dari harga RM1.92.
2. Nak percaya KERAJAAN BN naikkan harga tinggi semua untuk rakyat. Kata kenaikan adalah terpaksa, tetapi tak nampak macam terpaksa pun. Banyak peruntukan-peruntukan baru diluar RMK9 keluar. Ada lak duitnya



by DonJuanKL on Wednesday, July 16 @ 16:00:03 MYT

MEMANG SUSAH NAK BERFIKIR SCARA RASIONAL APABILA SESAORANG TU DAH TERLALU TAKSUB TAAT PADA SESEBUAH PARTI ATAU KESETIAAN PADA SESAORANG PEMIMPIN SECARA MEMBABI BUTA..TAPI AKU PERCAYA RAKYAT DAPAT MENILAI FAKTA YANG DIHUJAHKAN OLEH DS ANUAR ..BERBANDING DENGAN SERANGAN PERIBADI YG BERTALU-TALU YG DILAKUKAN OLEH SABERY CHIK...SOALAN2 YANG DI LONTARKAN OLEH DS ANUAR DAN PENGACARA SERTA PANEL JEMPUTAN PADA SABERY CHIK TIDAK DAPAT DI JAWAB OLEH SABERY..BELIAU TELAH MENYIMPANG JAUH MENJADI KAN PENTAS DEBAT SEBAGAI PLATFORM UNTUK MENYERANG PERIBADI DS ANUAR DAN MEMPERLEKEHKAN KEBEBASAN MEDIA PADA ERA TUN DR. M..SYABAS !! DS ANUAR KERANA FOKUS TERHADAP ISU DEBAT DENGAN PENUH BERHEMAH DAN TIDAK MENGIKUT RENTAK SABERY CHIK..KESIMPULAN NYA DEBAT MALAM TADI TELAH MENUNJUKAN KEBODOHON DAN KETUNGGULAN SEORANG LAGI MENTERI PENERANGAN PAK DOL YANG SEMEMANG NYA TUNGGUL !



by shadow on Wednesday, July 16 @ 17:59:45 MYT

Apa yg saya saksikan malam tadi Anwar dapat mengemukakan fakta dan idea dengan mantap, jauh berbeda dari Menteri yg lebih banyak bercerita dan serangan peribadi. Ini tak dapat dinafikan .. sekalipun perit untuk ditelan.

Pemerintah cubalah secara rasional menilai idea ini dan lakukan sesuatu agar beban rakyat dapat dikurangkan.



by selockro on Wednesday, July 16 @ 20:36:49 MYT

Yg dok kaitkan dgn peratus pengeluaran dunia tu buat apa?? Kita sembang pasal konteks dlm negara. Retorik ini adalah istilah UMNO utk menafikan idea PR, hakikatnya ia adalah realistik, tu pon kalu ada kesanggupan utk melakukannya.
Masih ingat suatu masa dulu, Sem. M'sia bergelap selama 2 hari?? Masa tu YTL yg dipercayai kroni anak PM masa tu, ingin melibatkan diri sbg IPP. Pasal tu laa perjanjian berat sebelah kerana melibatkan kepentingan peribadi. Pengerusi TNB membantah perjanjian tersebut, sbg balasan Loji Perbekalan Letrik di Paka diletupkan. Pengerusi TNB akur/mengalah n letak jawatan....??? Sapa Playmaker dlm Perjanjian IPP???



by MusangApi on Wednesday, July 16 @ 21:18:31 MYT

Come on la ... adil la sket ... sume org kat sini pasti setuju nak turunkan harga minyak bkan la something yg bole buat senang2 je ... dengan format masa 4 minit setiap kali berhujah ... sempat ke nk terangkan semua2 1 masterplan mcm mane nk turunkan harga minyak ?? kalau dlm tempoh yg singkat bley explain formula nk turunkan tu ... must be something wrong la ... simple sgt sbb dlm tempoh yg singkat bley setel ... dan bodo sgt la kerajaan paklah kalo x ley nk figure out something yg anwar ibrahim bole sampai kan dlm tempoh less than hour ...

To be fair ... kalau btul la kerajaan ikhlas & prihatin nk tolong rakyat ... buat la 1 session lg ... jemput pakar economy, org2 petronas, wakil2 kerajaan & sapa2 yg bole bagi pandangan dlm isu ni ... dengar ape Anwar nk ckp ... bagi dia explain sepenuhnya ... pastu baru la bagi comment menda2 ni viable atau tak ... jangan la jadi cerita 3 org buta dgn gajah ... dengar sket2 pastu terus nk draw conclusion ... menteri2 & org umno sume akan ckp ... apa yg Anwar sampaikan smlm sume benda lapuk yg diorg da dengar ... bagi penyokong2 Anwar & parti pembangkang plak ... sume stuju & anggap kerajaan x kan nk dengar pandangan diorg ... last2 yg rugi ... da tentu rakyat ...

Sambungan komen dari pembaca MYKMU NET

Re: Anwar gagal pertahan formula penurunan petrol serta merta apabila berkuasa (Score: 1)
by wakilMELAYUMalaysia on Thursday, July 17 @ 16:57:19 MYT

Sudah terang lagi bersuluh, rasanya dan seharusnya, Menteri Penerangan YB Dato' Ahmad Shabery Chik, meletak jawatan dengan megemukakan surat perletakan jawatan, dalam masa 24 jam ini.

Anda telah tewas KO, Knock Out.

Sudah dikhabarkan sejak awal – awal lagi, DSAI bukanlah lawan, regu dan saingannya.

Tidak lah diketahui, siapakah yang menghasut beliau supaya menyahut cabaran debat, anjuran Agenda Daily tersebut.
Seluruh pimpinan Kerajaan UMNO/BN menanggung aib dan malu yang besar di atas KEKALAHAN dan KEGAGALAN beliau dalam berdebat, berhujah dan mengemukakan fakta, bukti dan angka.

Sebaliknya, apa yang terjadi beliau hanya menyerang peribadi DSAI sahaja.

Secara prinsip dan moralnya, tanpa perlu didesak untuk meletak jawatan, beliau secara tegas dan tetap dengan pendirian, mesti meninggalkan pejabatnya di Bangunan Angkasapuri, dalam masa 24 jam.

Tidak perlulah beliau menyerahkan kepada Perdana Menteri, untuk mempertimbangkannya, samada menerima atau menolak perletakan jawatan tersebut.

Selepas dariapda ini, rakyat tidak mahu beliau memberikan sebarang alasan, dalih, hujjah, komen dan sebab, bagi tidak meletak jawatan.

Alasan apakah lagi yang beliau cari selepas ini ? Sama – sama kita tunggu dan lihat.

RUMUSAN, hujah DSAI

Pakatan Rakyat akan turunkan minyak keesokannya sebanyak RM0.50, sebaik sahaja Putrajaya diambil alih.
Maka sejumlah RM5 Billion diperlukan untuk menampungnya.
Angka ini dapat diperolehi melalui RM2 Billion hasil review semula perjanjian TNB dengan IPP
Ketirisan, kebocoran subsidi diesel RM700 juta
RM 170 juta, projek pemberian khas kepada kroni pembesar UMNO, Teras Kim
RM1 Billion, diambil dari sumbangan dividen khas Petronas2008 kepada kerajaan sebanyak RM 6 Billion.
Maka selesailah masaalah
LAIN – LAIN HAL


Pengerusi TNB, tahun 90-an, Tan Sri Dr Ani Arof, meletak jawatan kerana TIDAK BERSETUJU dengan syarat dan terma perjanjian diantara IPP dengan TNB yang berat sebelah, yang merugikan TNB.
Kenaikan minyak sebanyak RM0.78 yang dumumkan baru – baru ini mirip ‚PRISKRIPSI' IMF.
Adakah kerajaan UMNO/BN telah mengambil nasihat IMF, bagi menghukum rakyat Malaysia yang telah menolak UMNO/BN ?
Malaysia akan menjadi NET IMPORTER pada tahun 2015, sekiranya pengeluaran Petronas adalah pada tahap sekarang, dan tidak ada telaga baru ditemui.

AHMAD SHABERY

Maaf tidak ada fakta dikemukakan dan sepanjang perdebatan tersebut tidak ada angka – angka diperolehi, serta hujah dan ulasan yang diberikan tidak bersangkutan dengan tajuk iaitu „ HARI INI MEMERINTAH, ESOK HARGA MINYAK DITURUNKAN"
Hanya serangan peribadi yang diutarakan, seperti fitnah tentang demostrasi baling, melawan Tun Razak, Melawan TDM,
Semua jawapan yang dikemukakan oleh beliau adalah tidak menepati soalan yang dikemukakan

TAMBAHAN SIKIT

Panel Tan Sri Dr Nordin Kardi
Soalan yang dikemukakan agak janggal, iaitu cuba untuk TIDAK mengaitkan IPP dengan tajuk debat. Tangkas dipancung oleh DSAI. Ini memalukan taraf seorang Naib Canselor bagi sebuah universiti yang ternama di negara ini.

Ada tuduhan sedikit masa dulu, katanya adaNaib Canselor sebuah universiti di Malaysia yang menciplak tajuk presentasi ilmiah. Siapakah dia itu ?

Zukifli Sulong
Soalan yang ditanya sangat bernas, iaitu soal penjimatan minyak hasil kenaikan tahun 2006 sebanyak R0.30 sebanyak RM4.13 Billion, hanya dibelanjakan sekitar RM700 juta sahaja. Bakinya ke mana pergi ?Begitu juga kewarasan kerajaan untuk membelanjakan sebanyak RM13 Billion,
yang bakal dijimatkan, hasil kerajaan UMNO/BN menaikkan minyak sebanyak RM0.78 baru – baru ini. Ke manakah wang sebanyak itu akan dibelanjakan ?

NOTA

DSAI akan bertanding dalam pilihanraya kecil, dalam masa se singkat – singkatnya
Adakah di Permatang Pauh ?

Debat: Shabery Chek Merapu, Sila Letak Jawatan Segera !!
Dilulus terbit pada Wednesday, July 16 @ 12:00:00 MYT oleh SongkokPutih

Oleh cucumatkilau

Maka berakhirlah bicara diskusi atau debat yang selama ini dinanti-nantikan oleh sekalian rakyat Malaysia selama ini. Biarpun ada yang menjangkakan ia akan dibatalkan atau tidak dibuat secara langsung. Namun semuanya kini menjadi kenyataan. Debat antara Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dengan Menteri Penerangan UMNO , Shabery Chek telah disiarkan terus menerus selama satu jam iaitu kurang dari jadual asalnya. Pengantara popular Johan Jaafar sekali lagi dipilih untuk menjadi hos rancangan berkenaan. Tahniah diucapkan kepada Johan Jaafar yang lebih nampak profesional pada kali ini. Alhamdulillah, tiada insiden yang tidak diingini berlaku.

Debat yang dibahagikan kepada beberapa segmen itu turut menampilkan wakil masing-masing iaitu Nordin Kadri untuk Shabery dan Zulkifli Sulon dari Siasah untuk Anwar. Biar pun masa yang diambil untuk kedua-dua pendebat agak pendek dan terlalu cepat namun jelas dapat dilihat kewibaan terletak kepada mantan TPM, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Benarlah kata beliau sebelum ini Menteri UMNO itu tidak layak untuk berdebat dengannya. Beliau lebih rela berhadapan dengan Pak Lah dan Najib, daripada budak hingusan seperti Ahli Parlimen Kemaman yang tidak sedar diri itu.

Banyak soalan dan kenyataan merapu telah dikeluarkan oleh Shabery. Anwar beberapa kali menempelak beliau kerana lari dari tajuk dan membuat hujjah peribadi pasal Anwar. Tajuk debat "Hari Ini Memerintah: Esok Minyak Turun" tidak sesuai untuk Shabery. Beliau lebih banyak mengungkit kisah lama, dan menggunakan isu yang sama bahawa minyak naik kerana mengikut harga minyak dunia. Dari segi kadar inflasi pula, beliau banyak membandingkan dengan negara yang harga minyaknya lebih rendah seperti Venezuale, Iran, Iraq dan lain-lain lagi. Pernyataan beliau itu banyak dimatikan oleh Anwar dengan hujjah-hujjah yang cukup bernas dan bertenaga.

Antara hujjah Anwar yang cukup melekat dihati rakyat ialah , jika kerajaan boleh berbelanja hampir RM13 bilion untuk menyelamatkan Perwaja kenapa kerajaan tidak boleh langsung untuk belanja hanya RM1 bilion untuk turunkan harga minyak sekitar 50 sen. Itu belum lagi dengan langkah kerajaan yang lain. Kenapa bila membantu rakyat dikatakan "subsidi" tapi bila membantu syarikat kroni dikatakan "bail-out", bila bantu golongan korporat dikatakan "insentif". Kenapa berlaku begitu? Anwar kecewa dengan istilah subsidi yang dikaitkan dengan bantuan untuk rakyat. Kenapa dibeza-bezakan oleh kerajaan?

Dalam pada itu, Shabery pula lebih banyak merapu dan tidak menjawab soalan yang ditanya. Hinggakan Zulkifli Sulong agak pening dengan jawapan beliau perihal kerajan menyelamatkan hampir RM4.2 bilion ketika minyak naik 30 sen awal tahun lalu. Janji kerajaan untuk menaiktaraf prasarana pengangkutan awam, tapi hanya sekitar RM700 juta sahaja yang digunakan sehingga kini. Maka apa lagi alasan dengan naik 78 sen dan kerajaan bakal perolehi keuntungan hampir RM13 bilion. Apakah lagi alasan kerajaan untuk membelanja wang sebanyak itu, jika sebelum inipun kerajaan sudah tipu rakyat bagaimana pula kali ini. Namun jawapan profesional yang dinantikan dari Shabery ternyata gagal. Hujjah beliau mengarut dan merapu. Banyak menghentam peribadi Anwar hingga sesekali Anwar menjeling tanda kecewa.

Banyak lagi hujjah lain Anwar yang ternyata memberi impak positif kepada rakyat dan Pakatan Rakyat. Maklumat yang diterima oleh Cucu ramai rakan-rakan dalam UMNO yakin dengan hujjah bernas Anwar. Mereka juga kecewa dengan Shabery yang tidak setaraf dengan jawatannya sebagai Menteri Penerangan. Maka itu, seperti yang dijanjikan Shabery harus meletak jawatan dan Pak Lah perlu mencari orang lain untuk mengambil alih jawatan tersebut. Itulah "cagaran" yang dibuat oleh beliau sebelum ini. Beliau bolehlah diistilahkan "syok sendiri" dan meraban semacam. Beliau langsung tidak fikir yang berada dihadapannya adalah golongan cendiakawan, profesional, terpelajar dan bangsawan. Mereka semua memandang sinis kepada kedangkalan hujjah Shabery Chek, si Menteri UMNO yang tidak sedar diri itu. Apapun kita nantikan apa pula cerita terbaru Anwar selepas ini. [www,cucumatkilau.blogdrive.com]





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Gov't to try to stabilise falling palm oil prices

Malaysia kini
Yusri Nuqman: Malaysia is a net exporter of palm oil. We produce, we consume locally, and we export the remaining. Similarly, we are also a net exporter of crude oil. We produce, we consume locally, and we export the remaining.

Why worry about declining price of palm oil? Shouldn't we be happy that there'll be less burden on the government if the price is lower?

Have we forgotten that the government told us that when the crude oil price goes up, that it can't bear subsidy anymore?

Then the government must be happy with declining palm oil prices, just as it wants the crude oil price to go down. Aren't we subsidised for the palm oil bought in Malaysia?

I remember reading once where someone pointed out that the price of a bottle of Malaysian palm oil is cheaper in a hypermarket in the UK than the in a shop in Felda itself.

Can the government's economists explain?

Saturday September 6, 2008 MYT 3:14:19 PM
Sabah, Sarawak should demand 25% oil royalty: HarrisBy MUGUNTAN VANAR


KOTA KINABALU: Former chief minister Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh is asking the Sabah and Sarawak state governments to pass a resolution in their respective legislative assemblies to demand 25% oil royalty instead of the current 5%.

In a letter dated Sept 2, sent to the chief ministers and all assemblymen of the two states, Harris said that it was an opportune time for both Sabah and Sarawak to seek an increase in oil royalties by approving and adopting a motion for increase effective Jan 1, 2009.

Harris, whose letter was made available to the media, said that since the signing of the petroleum agreement with the federal government in 1974, the price of petrol has increased four times.

He said among other reasons for the increase was that many negotiated federal projects implemented in the state were not a priority and were implemented at double the cost without the tender.
Among the other reasons he gave for the increase was that Sabah and Sarawak needed a lot of funds to undertake their respective development projects especially in raising the standard of living of their people, said Harris, who was the Berjaya government chief minister between 1976 and 1985.

“These days, the federal government is accommodating any just and fair requests from both states,” he said, adding that an increase in oil royalty was justified as even the federal government acknowledges there is a need for development in the two states.

Harris said that he hoped the two Barisan-led state governments would seriously consider pushing for the increase as it would be in the interest of the present and future generations of the two states.