FOMCA - WHERE DO YOU STAND?

FOMCA (Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association) today President N. Marimuthu asks Malaysians to thank the Government for its pledge not to raise fuel price further, at least until the end of this year.

According to FOMCA, the increase from RM 1.92 per litre to RM 2.70 per litre is justified because the last time the Government raised fuel prices, the world oil price was just over US$60 per barrel (as against to US$ 132 per barrel now).

That is precisely the point raised in Malaysia Network in our article yesterday. If US$132 per barrel equals RM 3.45 (non-subsidised rate according to our PM), why should the subsidised rate be RM 1.92 back in February 2006?

Without the Government lending us crutches, the pump price should have been RM 1.70 - RM 1.75 per litre max. However, the price back then was at RM 1.92 per litre, with Malaysians seemingly even paying a premium for every litre pumped into their vehicles, let alone getting subsidies.

Yet, the Government then claimed that they can no longer afford giving subsidies at this rate. Apparently, 4 Billion will be saved for investments in public transport. Today we know we are far from what was envisaged by our leaders back then.

The President of FOMCA is certainly not a fan of Malaysia Network. Or else, he would have known that the reasons (comparing price of world oil back then and price of oil today) he used for calling the Government's price hike justifiable is only going to bring him gross embarassment.

FOMCA as its name suggests should be the ambassador and custodian for Malaysian Consumers. They should be one of the loudest voice expressing disagreement for the price hike as it will spark a spiralling frenzy on prices of consumer and essential items.

Any price hike is against the interest of consumers and FOMCA would have done better as an advocate and defender of consumer interest, or non-partisan at the very least. His statement may draw the thumbs up from certain quarters but double thumbs down from Malaysians.

Perhaps, FOMCA's statements should be forgiven as it is typical of the common syndrome suffered by Malaysians - the "Optimistic Denial Syndrome" a.k.a. ODS. ODS sufferers maintain an optimistic view either for the purpose of consoling oneself or pleasing others, despite undeniable and undisputable failure that has occured.

Using sports as an example. Despite our National Team losing critical matches (in whatever sport), very often there will always be certain people who will pain an optimistic picture, no matter how bad the defeat. "Its a close defeat", "We fought well but lost", "Our boys gave it their all but end up losers" are trademark statements of ODS sufferers.

ODS sufferers have a natural (or sometimes intentional) inability of distincting what is good and what is bad, what is favorable and what is not favorable. FOMCA may or may not be suffering from ODS but issuing a statement that goes against the spirit of the organization itself does leave a very bad taste.

It is hoped that before making public statements, a public figure as prominent as the FOMCA president should first ensure that its stand is for or against the principles of the organization he represents. Furthermore, using justifications that will only "boomerang" back as a source of embarassment should be avoided at all costs.

Having listened to his statement today, I, for one, would not hesitate to make a firm stand that FOMCA does not represent my sentiments and welfare as a consumer. I'm not part of what he represents, period. What about you?