Ever since the removal of the diesel blanket subsidy earlier this month, there have been many quibbles from Malaysians about how the removal would lead to a domino effect that would increase the prices of goods and services in our country.
Of course, the debate on the diesel blanket subsidy removal is also widespread in our local political scene and took centre stage during a ceramah or political speech on 22 June for the Sungai Bakap by-election in Penang.
PAS MP shares his experience of the new high price of diesel impacting motorcyclists
The ceramah, by the PAS Member of Parliament (MP) for Kubang Kerian, Dato’ Sri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man on Saturday (22 June) touched upon the impact of the blanket subsidy removal on the rakyat.
However, a particular story he shared about an encounter with a pak cik affected by diesel’s current high price raised a few eyebrows among Malaysians.
Going viral online, including in this X (formerly Twitter) post by @zack_rockstar, an excerpt of Tuan Ibrahim’s ceramah was met with ridicule from many netizens who questioned the authenticity of his story.
In the video, Tuan Ibrahim, who is also PAS Deputy President refuted claims by some people that diesel prices remain affordable for laymen because of the BUDI MADANI cash aid, which is the targeted subsidy given to eligible diesel vehicle owners.
Laughing at the claims, Tuan Ibrahim revealed that he recently encountered a pak cik who was pushing his motorcycle by the roadside.
When he asked the pak cik what had happened, Tuan Ibrahim asserted that the pak cik had run out of diesel.
This was because previously, filling his motorcycle with RM5 diesel was enough to bring him back home but since the implementation of the targeted diesel subsidy, RM5 diesel is no longer enough for his motorcycle to make the journey back home.
Tuan Ibrahim then asserted that the pak cik’s experience was proof that the removal of blanket subsidies gravely impacts the livelihoods of laymen in Malaysia.
Watch the video here:
Malaysians pointed out that motorcycles don’t use diesel
Well, there’s 1 glaring problem with the story, as pointed out by countless individuals online: Motorcycles use petrol in Malaysia and not diesel.
For illustration purposes
In the replies to the X post, many netizens ridiculed Tuan Ibrahim’s statement and corrected his mistake.
One commenter sarcastically said that maybe the motorcycle uses a generator similar to the ones used by vendors at a Pasar Malam.
Meanwhile, another commenter joked that the motorcyclist was using a special diesel engine on his motorbike.
Besides that, one commenter joked that this confusion resulted from drinking diesel too much.
So, what do you guys think of the video? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
