IT IS a stark reality as pointed out by a social media influencer that a capitalist economy favours the rich.
In a recent post on the X platform, Datuk Jahat Hensem (@datukhensem) is astonished that those small businesses that charge food items slightly above the market rate— at times, a mere RM10 extra – are subject to various penalties and controls under the law.
On the contrary, private healthcare providers charge patients and insurance companies tens of thousands of ringgit – and make million in profits – yet are not dealt with by the law, leaving the poster to deduce that “capitalism is only for the rich”.
Peniaga kecil jual makanan mahal sikit, untung tak sampai RM10 terus boleh kena tindakan bawah akta. Kena kawal.
Hospital swasta charge patients and insurance company puluh2 ribu and untung juta juta,
Krik krik krik.
Capitalism hanya untuk yang kaya sahaja.
— Datuk Jahat Hensem (@datukhensem) November 26, 2024
His pointed observations were met by a flurry of responses with many agreeing with him. One netizen regarded this as a “bitter truth” especially for the lower income group while another observed thar such trend has been going on for months.
“Profiteering is profiteering regardless how one sugarcoats it,” he added.
Some sarcastically remarked that it’d be a matter of time before hospital bills will come “with a RM370 charge for a pair of gloves or RM200 for a face mask”.
Keeping with the sarcastic tone, another netizen suggested sparing a thought for the myriad of specialists at the medical centres earning RM60,000-RM100,000 per month. What would they eat if such charges were not in place?
One urged fellow citizens to report incidences of overcharging or profiteering to the relevant authorities, namely the Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Ministry.
One commenter argued that this was the result of “hypochondriac M40” parents who seek treatment for their children over the smallest of ailments.
One asked why banks were let off the hook when their interest charges were just as high.
However, one did contend that private healthcare facilities allowed for better treatment and services. Such services inevitably cost money.
While another pointed out that expertise was scarce and was thus valuable. He also noted that margins for profit for private healthcare were small.
One reckoned that local private healthcare was still affordable compared to those overseas, hence the popularity of medical tourism.
It was pointed out that the issue goes deeper and is somehow connected to ownership of these private hospitals.
One summed up the sentiment best when he remarked that this was the way of a capitalist economy.
While another surmised tongue lodged firmly in cheek that at the end of the day, it is a matter of “kita jaga kita” (taking care of each other”).
No doubt it is a sticky issue. On the one hand, common folk are charged an arm and a leg at private healthcare centres.
On the other, the fact remains that the country is severely lagging behind in terms of qualified medical and healthcare professionals. Until the latter is addressed, this scenario is only going to get worse before it could get any better. – Nov 28, 2024
Image credit: Visual Generation/Shutterstock.com
