Coretan Hidup

In Malaysia, the hike in gas prices is one of the main issues frequently used by the opposition parties to bash the government. They promise voters with reduction of gas prices around 20-30 cents. Well, I don’t mean to discuss about whether the price of gas at gas stations should be reduced or not. But, what I notice is the difference in the way we handle the gas price issue in Malaysia.

Here, since the system is different and the control of the gas price is not in the hands of the government, the way American politicians approach this issue also different. They don’t make easy promise like Malaysian politicians do. Promise that gas prices will fall by 30 cents if they were in power. Promise that they will make use of Petronas’s windfall profits to subsidize the gas prices we pay at gas stations.

But, what American politicians promise is energy independence that eventually will help reduce the demand of gasoline in many sectors and bring down gas prices. Though it is a long-term action, I do believe that energy independence should be our first option. Making a simple promise to reduce gas prices once come to power might help politicians in gaining wide support. But, economically, it’s not gonna help us solve the hike in ‘real’ gas prices in the future. To Malaysian politicians, enough with all the gimmicks. Let’s really solve the problem by working towards energy independence.