Chauffeur Driven Pmx Trolled Over Proclamation He Doesn T Claim Budi95 Petrol Subsidy

---

 
ANYONE ever seen Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim drive into a petrol station, pay and fuel up on his own? Ever?
Thought not.
This was the prevailing mood of cynicism that greeted a proclamation from PMX that despite being eligible for subsidised fuel under the Budi Madani RON95 (BUDI95) scheme, the Malaysian Finance Minister opts to pay the unsubsidised price (currently RM2.60/litre for RON95 petrol).
While he was making the point about the petrol scheme helping the needy, the claim about NOT utilising the subsidy scheme during his post-Budget 2006 meet-up with staff of the Finance Ministry recently did smack of self-aggrandising.
This show of faux self-sacrifice did not go down well with certain segments of the population as such declaration was used as a stick to beat PMX and his Madani administration.
The mood can be judged from the feedback that was showing up on various social media platforms.

For instance, Malay language current affairs forum Siakap Keli’s Facebook post on this topic has already generated 24K likes, almost 12.2K comments and 965 shares at the time of writing, indicating that PMX’s blowing of his own trumpet (again) is rubbing some Malaysians the wrong way.
Repeating the query, some commenters simply asked if anyone had spied PMX ever filling up himself at a petrol station?

One even jokingly demanded a receipt to show that PMX was not making false claims.

The cynical view was also reflected in scores of comments belittling PMX’s claim. One commenter likened it “to eating with his right hand even when fork and spoon are available” meaning his rejection of the subsidy was pointless and served no purpose.
Another simply teased PMX for his “big joke  of the year”.

More than a few took the opportunity to highlight the many allowances MPs were accorded which meant they weren’t paying for fuel anyway – they are privy to petrol allowance or cam claim back their fuel expenditure – thus further underlining their privileged status.

One comment was dripping with sarcasm when he proclaimed where else would Malaysians find such a PM “who didn’t take a salary nor enjoy subsidies”.

This mocking tone was prevalent in scores of comments, indicating many Malaysians are unimpressed by PMX’s public relations exercise. One sarcastically expressed disappointment that PMX was using RON95 instead of higher-grade fuel.

A few others pointedly wondered what the motive of PMX was for making such a self-praising statement.

Yes, the PMX was simply making a point about the subsidy scheme is designed to help those who truly require a helping hand. But as a seasoned orator, he should know such statements are likely to be seized upon to cast him in an unfavourable light.
As a veteran politician, surely PMX can read the room better than making such ill-advised declarations that seeks to place him as a man-of-the-people.
At a time when the cost-of-living crisis is biting hard, such ham-fisted attempts at ingratiating oneself to the masses is ill-timed and ill-advised.
The disdain is clearly palpable. PMX’s PR team can surely do better and advise that such pronouncements can be construed as needless self-praise. The fall-out can be pretty damning. 

- focus malaysia

---