Up goes the Malaysian cost of basic necessities

While it is rumoured that the price of basic essentials will increase in Malaysia after the General Elections held a fortnight ago, I say that it does not need to wait either for that period or rumours. It is a natural tendencey for businessmen and merchants to take full advantage of any reason that would increase their profit margin.

The name of the ruling Political Party that won another 5 year mandate to govern the country goes by the name of Barisan Nasional. In English that translates to the National Front. Ironically though in the local Malaysian (Bahasa Malaysia) language the BN (as the short name for Barisan Nasional) has been given another meaning – Barang Naik! In English that translates to Increase in cost of Goods.

So then, who’s to blame the powers-that-be in the ruling Party when going by their own Party’s short name is tantamount to mean just that!

Across the Straits of Johor, our neighbour, Singapore has a similar Political Party name acronym. The People Action Party or PAP that rules the island nation has another meaning for their tight lipped citizens. PAP as some declare means Pay And Pay! Which of course is true for Singapore that has no natural resources whatsoever and apart the Banking, Trade and Commerce resources, the citizens become the other only viable source for the economy.

Over four decades ago, I could buy a bowl of noodle soup for 10 cents U.S. Today, for about the same bowl of noodle soup it costs 1.30 U.S. If my Math is correct that amounts to an increase of 1200 percent points!

It’s not even cheap to die today. The cost of the coffin and funeral expenses would make a corpse to resurrect.

“But if you try a little kindness then you’ll overlook the
blindness of the narrow minded people on the narrow minded street.”