DAP Selangor state executive council (exco) member for investment, industry and commerce and SME Datuk Teng Chang Khim was ‘educated’ by netizens who told him to wake up to the norm of high-cost living as he is not the only one feeling the pinch.
“I have (a) toothache this morning. A glass of Milo costs RM3.60 and a bowl of pork vermicelli costs RM8.00. Size of wallet increases as value of money decreases,” he penned on his Facebook page.
Netizen Casey Lee reminded the Bandar Baru Klang state assemblyman that he was fortunate to still be enjoying a bowl of soup noodle at RM8 given a similar serving now costs RM9-RM12/bowl in Subang Jaya.
“Famous bah kut teh (BKT) (herbal pork rib soup) is now RM18 per set with rice excluding tea. Our family also opt to eat at home; only on special occasions do we eat out for brekkie,” shared Lee with Joseph CY Choy revealing that Klang’s popular Seng Huat BKT is now selling at RM17/bowl when the price was only RM11 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lim Sheng Ming expressed hope that the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can steer the Malaysian economy to a better footing by controlling current inflation rate while Samuel Chen expressed amazement that hawker/street food price has become unreasonably costly.
“With marginal raw materials cost hike, the food sellers are abusing the situation by selling food at big restaurant price,” he lamented. “A simple bowl of wanton noodle costs between RM9 to RM10 while a small cup of coffee/tea can be RM2.50.”
Added Chen: “Such unreasonable and uncontrolled food price is outrageous! Pity the young and new entrants to the working market. Will they be able to make ends meet in KV (Klang Valley) or other major cities while looking for career advancement opportunities? I doubt.”
Netizen Sim Wah Seng who thought that Teng has just “opened a can of worms” asked the people’s representative to enquire from the Finance Ministry and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) “why the ringgit keeps depreciating”.
“Our politicians have become foodie politicians (promoting char koay teow, wantan mee, curry mee, toast/eggs and their favourite coffee shops and restaurants),” joked Sim.
“Even Parliament sessions are used to debate if BKT can be made heritage food, nurses uniforms are too tight, etc. Our political standard is going down the drain …who with a right mind would want to invest here?”
And the criticism only gets more cynical as netizen Kris Tang Wai Kin reminisced “how I miss Jibby (now-incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak)”.
“When Jibby was there, one iPhone was RM 2,199 only. Now RM2,199 can buy Xiaomi but that amount is also not enough,” lamented the netizen with Ong Leong Chuan rubbing it in further: “Wait for PN (Perikatan Nasional) to rule; Azmin (PN’s information chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali) has promised that Selangor will be the best (state).”
But at least Wong Kam Wah has a more realistic opinion: “Get Najib. Tun M (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad). Mohidin (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) to bring back their (cash) deposits (from) overseas. The ringgit value will rise immediately compared to the US dollar. (Also,) don’t forget (that) Jho Low (fugitive financier Low Taek Jho) also needs to bring back (all) those illicit monies.” – June 30, 2023
