There are fierce fights between BN and Pakatan Rakyat and “Populism” that pleases the people. Pakatan Rakyat offered free water supply, rice distribution for the poor, appropriation for private schools and land tax exemption for schools while the BN government is able to offer only selective advantages as the tax revenue has been reduced, sending it to the disadvantageous position.

In the next year's Budget, the Prime Minister announced that personal tax relief will be increased by RM1,000 to RM9,000 but he also announced that all credit and charge cards with annual fees waived will be charged annual service taxes of RM50 and 5% tax will be charged on gains from disposal of real property from 1 Jan. The increase of personal relief can benefit a million of tax payers. Some people are middle-income earners, even there are over 10 million of credit cards in the market, the government believes that card holders and property owners are able to pay the taxes. As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said: “If everything is untouchable, then what can the government touch?”

However, the mandatory roadworthiness inspection for vehicles aged 15 years will be affecting the majority of rural people. Therefore, the government announced the delay of its implementation. I believe that it it because rural areas have been BN's stronghold.

As for the irregularities noted in the Auditor-General's Report, the Cabinet decided to set up a high-powered task force chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan to look into any wrongdoing closely. But the Prime Minister also stressed that the authority will fairly consider a variety of disciplinary actions, including the reasons to be lenient and humanity factors.

Obviously, disciplinary actions will be taken but it is not going to be too harsh, with the consideration that the 1.2 million civil servants are as well, BN's supporters.

However, it becomes more and more difficult for the BN government to please the majority people. Starting from Dec, the government has no choice but to reduce rice subsidy, only the poor can get rice subsidy coupon. The annual net profit of Petronas has fallen by 65%, could the government not raise electricity tariffs during the tariff review in Dec?

Early next year, the government will implement a new fuel subsidy management system. Would it cause inflation? According to the contract, some toll charges will be increased in Jan next year, would the Treasury still afford the compensation to delay the increase of toll charges?

The government is facing financial difficulties. Thus, it can no longer please everyone like how it did before. It can only try to help the poor and low-income earners, particularly those living in rural areas. Meanwhile, middle-income earners, the “poor people” living in urban areas may be neglected.

The government should not keep implementing subsidy system that brings no economic benefit just to please the voters. It should not protect state-owned enterprises like Proton, and sacrifice the people's interests. What should be done must be done and they should insist on what is right. If they want to resolve weaknesses in financial management, those who should be punished must be punished. They cannot be lenient just because they are worried of a reprisal from the civil servants.

They cannot keep pleasing the people to win their support. Most importantly, they must manage the country and the states well. As long as there is no corruption while economy is prosperous, law and order is good, education and administration are fair and democracy is open, it will be much more well accepted by the people. (By LIM SUE GOAN/Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/Sin Chew Daily)