Are all Malaysians really better off than four years ago?

PENANG:
'Malaysians are better off than four years ago’

‘Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the country’s per capita income had risen by 40% between 2004 and 2007, from RM15,819 (US$4,163) to RM22,345 (US$6,452).

“If we compare in terms of US dollar, the per capita income has risen by 55% during the period due to the depreciation of the dollar against the ringgit.

“The Barisan Nasional Government is confident that we will get the people’s mandate again, based on the improved economic resilience.

“However, there will be challenges and we are prepared to meet them,”’

The news report above was headlined: ‘Malaysians are better off than four years ago’.

The statistics (do you recall the saying “ Lies, damned lies and statistics”) say that the per capita income has risen, this may well be the case, but are all Malaysians really better off than four years ago?

Prices have risen, this includes the cost of utilities (water, gas and electricity), fuel, food-stuffs, transportation, however wages are on the whole stagnant and most workers receive low wages as they always have.

So from the man in the streets perspective, the answer is,

‘No, we are, without a doubt, worse off than four years ago’

So, who is actually better off?

Where has the money gone to?

Who are the beneficiaries of this 40% increase in per capita income?

The readers may have some views, but in my opinion, most the extra 40% increase has gone to a select few, some was paid out as bribes.

In reality maybe only a tiny sum trickled down to the masses, but this was not enough to counter the increases in the cost of living.

Those lies, damned lies and statistics

Genatzt!