I was out at friend’s house last night. It was a small gathering and we had some ice kacang, rojak and kong pia ( desert type of dishes ) What made the night memorable was the sombre atmosphere.
Basically those present were an accountant, a piano teacher, a KLSE player, engineer, housewife and some MLM business executives. One of them had wanted to fill up her tank when she saw the long queue. There was no way she could reach the petrol station before the car ground to a halt. They were lamenting that if they had known earlier they might have pumped their tanks full and saved some money. But the consensus was there were difficult times ahead.
Uncle Dee said that when a neighbor is facing hard times, it is called recession. When we are facing hard times, it is called depression. Depression days are indeed here. The economy is going to contract and go into the negative twilight zone as people basically stop consuming and purchasing except the most basic essentials. Consumer confidence will be at an all time historic low.
What kind of times are ahead for us? From midnight this morning, it will all be unchartered territory. Forget about being a developed country by 2020. Money will not be a good investment. Put money in a bank and get a miserable 3%? The KLSE could be an endless pit in these perilous times. If you have money, invest in land, houses or things which will retain some monetary value and hopefully appreciate too in the long term.
One of my friends joked that we should all get placards and protest 
in front of Sugar Bun to show the government how we feel. It was received with laughs. That is not the culture here in Sibu or in Sarawak.
Looking back at the funds the government spent to send our astronaut to space : I am beginning to think they were downright irresponsible to waste the people’s funds in this manner. The miserable public transport system hasn’t been improved much even though they promised to do that the last time they raised the price of petroleum.
A young father made an interesting comment. It sounded like this, “Our PM has made a difficult decision. It could be the right one or the wrong one. But no matter whether it is right or wrong, it shows he no longer cares for the people.” I guess it summed up the feelings of all those present last night.
My personal advise to friends who are poor like me : spend less, spend minimum and avoid spending anything unless you absolutely have to. This means food, rent, monthly payments to mortgages etc. Anything beyond these basic needs are luxuries.
This is my family’s basic daily meal. I cooked it myself. Anybody care to tell me how I can cut down and save money further?
Cut down on going out. Make less trips. As for me I will use the motor-bike occasionally and car pool on working days. Cook your own food. Forget about sympathies to the local makcik who has to survive selling economy rice. You have to survive too.
My personal feelings? – sad, a little angry and betrayed
Best get used to a new dramatic change in your life-style. Come August, you might not even recognize the world around you as you cruise the aisles of a supermarket. While us adults are worried for our tomorrows. my kid too has been busy
Playing boat in the aquarium
Making aquarium accessories with lego
Update :
About 50 people held a rally in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, this morning to protest the hefty oil price hike announced by the government yesterday. Another 100 others had also gathered there to watch the protesters, many giving them their silent support. It was led by Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai. Also present were other DAP leaders like Tan Seng Giaw, Lim Lip Eng Fung Kui Lun and Janicee Lee.
DAP Perak has also organised a similar protest in Ipoh this morning.
Tomorrow, an NGO called Ikrar will be holding a protest at the Kampung Baru mosque after the Friday prayers.
Anwar: Hike ‘wanton in size, callous in effect
Penang CM Lim Guan Eng: Fuel hike ‘socially unjust‘
Save Ourselves (SOS) coordinator BK Ong: It was an irrational and irresponsible act of governance
I Like this post bengbeng. I hope you can adapt to the changes in life, inflation, petrol all that. But I seriously really wonder whether the petrol price will be according to what was said, when cheaper price lower, when price raise, petrol more expensive. Because in Singapore, everything just becomes more expensive, never cheaper. Same here in Shanghai
I think now all Malaysians know he (PM) doesn’t care about us. Too late lor.
You have 5 dishes not including rice. Maybe you can cut down to 3 dishes? For me if I have 2 favourite dish on the table consider a wonderful meal liao.
I noticed an article in Malaysiakini where someone pointed out why they must pay market price for oil (gas, petrol) but not for cars? Good question.
I have a 3.0 Liter Ford Escape with leather and all options. The cost was $24.000 US or about 80,000 RM.
Going to the Malaysian Ford web site and pricing the same car, its about 160,000 RM or double.
You guys are being screwed.
FF
I wish I could fly to office… without using any vehicles… hahah!
I want to see if they’re really the same like my college, can decrease a few more precent after a month or not
Anyway, no more sugar bun next time meet up kah? 
Well, it’s correct, PM no more cares about nation…
The hike in prices seems to have affected most of the countries. We have to exercise lot of discipline and self control and try and think of alternate fuel sources.
in the meantime the people are suffering
cook 1 dish enuf, i cook pasta all the time. last me for 3 meals lol
this way u spend omos nothing
billionaire before 30