Civil societies’ views on the fuel price increase debate

Tonight at 9.00pm on TV9

Civil society organisations welcome the coming debate of Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek and PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the fuel price increase. This nationally televised debate will provide an opportunity for the public to listen to the pros and cons of the recent price increase which has affected all segments of Malaysian society, especially the poor and lower middle classes.

The issue of the quantum of the increase and related issues of the role of subsidies in our economy and how to spend our oil wealth judiciously is clearly too important to be left to Government alone to decide. At the same time, these are issues which it would be foolhardy to leave to even a rejuvenated Opposition alone to shape public policy on. Television with its wide national reach and impact can help in the dissemination of important information, facts and opinions on the subject that can enable our Malaysian citizenry to appraise the different positions held on this vital economic issue by the government and opposition parties. More importantly, it can stimulate public interest in issues of vital social and economic importance, and also help other key stakeholders play their proper role in the shaping of public policy through their analyses of the debate.

We are sure that a very large audience will follow the planned televised debate closely and look forward to a high quality of presentation on the part of the two debaters. We and the national audience too, also expect a balanced and fair treatment of issues, participating speakers and political positions by all parties concerned.

Endorsers:

1. Aliran Kesedaran Negara

2. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)

3. Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ)

4. Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)

5. Center for Polic Initiatives (CPI)

6. Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI-Parliament)

7. Civil Rights Committee of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

8. Community Development Centre (CDC)

9. Empower (Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor)

10. Jaringan Rakyat tertindas (JERIT)

11. Jawatankuasa Kebajikan Mahasiswa/I (JKMI)

12. Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth section (KLSCAH-Youth)

13. Labour Resource Center (LRC)

14. Malaysia Youth and Student Democratic Movement (DEMA)

15. National Institute for Electoral Integrity (NIEI)

16. Penang Watch

17. Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)

18. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita, Selangor

19. Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (KOMAS)

20. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)

21. Save Our School Damansara Committee

22. SOS (Save Ourselves), Penang

23. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)

24. Tenaganita

25. Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)

26. Youth for Change (Y4C)