Government have alot of secrets. One of their secret was about the weapons prepared to win the next general elctions. Oil price hike? Trust me, our government is working out the solution to reduce our burden, maybe a rebate, or some sort of extra subsidies, or a whole lot of new monetery plan? We don't know yet, but we knew that the initiatives is there, in progress, and it would take some time. So you can't enjoy it now, but you can, when the election is around the corner.
Government however, reserved another ultimate plan or weapon for next general election. Forcasting? I smell something fishy about the CEPT and Asean Trade in Goods Agreements. To make the story clear, here is some statement made by our DPM Tan Sri Muhyudin Yassin about our car policy. This is truncated:
Muhyiddin assures govt support for automotive parts and component sector
1. KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — The deputy prime minister said special focus will be given to “facilitate and encourage” the development of the automotive parts and component sector despite the current global and regional economic downturn.
2. “Under the CEPT and Asean Trade in Goods Agreements, Malaysia has agreed to eliminate import duties on all products in the Normal Track on January 1, 2010. This includes motor vehicles, auto parts and components,” he said.
3. He pointed out that . . . the motor vehicle sub sector in Malaysia will not be directly impacted because of its heavy dependence on the domestic market.
4. “The Malaysian government recognises the contribution of the domestic automotive industry towards the development of the country.”
So for me, para 2 sounds promising but then Para 3 and 4 basically says that the Malaysian motor car industry will continue to be protected. This means we will continue paying the highest car prices in the world for automobiles.
Car prices in Malaysia are about three times higher than the prices in the United States. We are a developing nation. Our land and labour costs are so much cheaper than the US. Why are our cars so expensive? It does not make any sense.
If a BMW 535 sells for RM178,000 in America, it should sell for a little less here in Malaysia (our rentals and salaries are cheaper).
The Ministers continue making pronouncements about the car industry as though nothing
has happened where the truth is, the ridiculous car prices in Malaysia is an issue that is just beginning to get more attention and publicity. It is going to become a really big issue in the near future. Be forewarned.
Gosh! The secret weapon accidently revealed its secret weaknesses, the chance now is50:50. If the car prices really been cut off soon, I'm sure the government would win the next general election with the flying up high colourful colours. So let's hope that would happen because I need a news car too. And if I got my new car with a good price, of course I'll vote for the government. I mean, who doesn't like a good government?
