In response to the article at http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/8616/84/
Which states that he will resign if he can't reduce the price of oil is something I find it a little disturbing. Here are my views on this issue.

Though I admit that Amwar aim to reduce the price of oil is very commendable and deserve praise I can't help feel that our country obsession with the price of oil can be detrimental to the state of the Malaysian economy. Yes I am sure that Anwar has the intelligence to reduce the price of oil by making Petronas more transparent or through strategic subsidies but I believe it is time for the Malaysia to have a strong drive and ambition to reduce it dependency on petroleum. Having studied the chemistry of hydrocarbons while studying I had seen the history of the production and rate of consumption of petroleum by the world since the 13th century by early civilisations. With this substance humanity was able to expand in ways unimaginable back then. With this Black Gold we have conquered the world but at the price of being addicts to this drug. Just look at our everyday things, I bet you can't find one single item that has not been produce without petroleum!

If Anwar seriously want to make a difference to the Malaysian economy he has to begin to do something much more drastic aside from reducing the price of oil which is to begin the catalyst to reduce the country dependency on oil. The peak production of depending on who you talk to has either passed or very close. Malaysia should begin to invest heavily not only on energy alternatives but also enact new laws to reduce the usage of all petroleum base products. Here is my list on Anwar should do to seriously make the Malaysian economy more efficient and cost effective.

1. Plastic bags - All shopping complexes and supermarkets have to seriously look into banning plastic bags all together and encourage shoppers to carry bring their own shopping bag. Here in Australia it is a common place to see shoppers to bring their own bags to carry their items. Some supermarkets charge extra for every plastic bag that the shopper asked for to encourage them to bring their own bags. Other places just banned plastic bags all together. Right now Malaysians just shamelessly ask for extra or more plastic bags to every time they purchase items from a supermarket. Those that do bring their own shopping bags are sometimes suspected of being shoplifters by the security guards! (Its true I had seen cases of this happening)

2. Improve transport system - Lets face it many Malaysians avoid public transport unless they have no choice but to use it. I had used many buses and taxis back in Malaysia and to tell you the truth most of them are in a very sorry state. They should seriously overhaul the most basic systems such as the trains, buses and taxis. The country does not seriously need another grandiose construction project such as the over hype LRT project to improve the transport system. All they need is new buses and taxis with better train people to drive/operate them.

3. Slash import taxes (or any tax for that matter) for all "green cars" - It is time to give Malaysian drivers a REAL choice to make to help the environment. They are many car manufacturers that have to develop automobiles that run on electricity, hydrogen and even steam!!! There are also many hybrid cars out there that can give the consumers more choices as well. Below are some models that should be seriously considered. Heck if our automobile market is open to this green cars just imagine the investments that will pour in!


The hydrogen powered FCHV (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle) was developed by Toyota in 2005

2007 Tesla electric powered Roadster

4. Increase taxes on automobiles that run exclusively on petroleum – This does not need to be implemented directly but just until the ratio of ‘green’ cars to petrol run cars are in the favour of green cars. It’s a great idea I believe to make people that had not taken the imitative to help the environment to pay for it. After all if we are going to die due the destruction of the Earth’s environment at least make all those emphatic people suffer some pain in their pockets before that happens right?

5. Buildings – Seriously there should be new laws that require all new houses and buildings to pass a very strict environment and safety laws. All new buildings should at least be capable to generate 5% - 10% of its total energy needs through solar power or any other sources. Later all other older buildings such as homes and factories should also be upgraded

Ok that’s all I guess these are just the few relatively small steps that I will suggest to our dear Anwar when he becomes Prime Minister. I sincerely believe It is time somebody do something bout the state of dependency of oil!