THE month of November started on a rough note for many Malaysians, with the rise in prices of cooking oil and petrol dealing a double blow to their monthly expenses.

Those interviewed by MetroPerak expressed their difficulties in coping with the removal of cooking oil subsidy and the increase in petrol prices.

Feeling the pinch, they say they will have to find ways to minimise their spending, while some are worried that this would lead to more price hikes in businesses.

Event manager Tan Teck Yeong, 28, described the increase in oil prices as a heavy burden, saying that prices are going up but not his salary.

“I cook a lot at home with my friend. Mostly lunch and dinner, sometimes even breakfast.

“We would usually get the 5kg bottle for frying fish and French fries, but now we have to think twice about cooking fried food now,” he said.

Prices of cooking oil have been revised effective this month following the removal of subsidy by the government. The increase was between 50% to 57%.

A 1kg bottle of oil is now selling at RM4.95, from RM3.30 previously, 2kg at RM9.45 from RM6.25, 3kg at RM13.90 from RM9 and RM20.90 for 5kg, from RM13.35 previously.

Cooking oil sold in plastic packets, however, would remain at RM2.50 per kg.

Tan said they would cook simpler and more steamed dishes from now on.

“The increase of around RM7 is a lot. If it was just RM1 or RM2, it would be okay but this is too drastic,” he said.

Meanwhile, fuel prices increased by 15 sen from Nov 1 with RON95 petrol retailing at RM1.95 per litre (RM1.80 previously), RON97 at RM2.30 per litre (from RM2.15) and diesel to RM1.90 per litre (from RM1.75).

As an event manager, Tan said the new petrol prices were worrisome because it has reached its highest rate this year.

“I am always on the road because I have to meet clients for work,” he said.

Homemaker Rosenah Md Jamil, 50, said she may have to buy the 1kg cooking oil that comes in the polybag now to save money.

“The polybags are still subsidised with only a slight increase in the ceiling price.

“I think that is okay. With the 5kg bottle of cooking oil I usually buy, I would have to think twice about cooking fried dishes now,” she said, adding that she usually cooks lunch and dinner everyday for two.

Taking public transport is also one of the ways Rosenah, who lives with her 27-year-old daughter, saves on petrol costs.

“I think if we are travelling in a group of three or four people, then it would be more economical to use the car.

“But if I am going out alone or only with my daughter, I’ll usually take the bus to public places such as the Urban Transformation Centre and general hospital,” she said, adding that she was happy with Ipoh’s newly improved public bus service as it is more comfortable, modern and clean.

Another homemaker who wants to be known only as Ruby, 52, agrees that the price hikes have made life more difficult.

“I’ll just have to find ways to reduce the use of cooking oil in my dishes.

“I just don’t think the price hike is fair to us. Because of this, bottles of cooking oil are flying off the shelves faster than we can buy them,” she said.

As for fellow homemaker N. Shameela, 40, she said she was not too affected by the removal of cooking oil subsidy as she has been buying olive oil for many years now.

“I do not cook all the time, but when I do, I like using olive oil because it’s healthier,” she said.

For restaurant owner Michelle Chong, the 73-year-old said the increase of cooking oil prices has also affected her.

“A 5kg bottle of oil which used to cost about RM13 to RM14 now costs RM23. The difference is quite a lot.

“For my restaurant, we need to use about four to five 5kg bottles a day.

“With the current economic situation, I dare not even increase prices in my restaurant.

“I worry that increasing food prices would only drive more customers away,” she said.

Chong said the last two years have been quite taxing on her 25-year-old business since the Goods and Services Tax was put into effect last year.

“Now that oil subsidies are removed, we are spending more and earning less.

“I still need to buy cooking oil to run a food business. Recycling oil to save money is simply out of the question.

“I will just have to cut down on personal spending to cope with this,” she said.

TAGS / KEYWORDS:
Perak ,  cooking oil

Source:
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/11/12/feeling-the-pinch-public-tightening-their-belts-following-the-removal-of-cooking-oil-subsidy-and-pet/