In My Shoes

Sunday, June 22, 2008

In My Shoes!
I have read so many times about the price increase but so far i feel that no body actually knows or cares about how much we the general just below average and under average income earners live!In the Star papers, there was an article on how people manage their income but most of them earned RM3000 Average!What about me? And those in my shoes??

I am a single parent! I am not a charity case (though it looks like i'm being pushed into that), I have one kid 3 yrs going on 4. my ex-husband doesn't support me with anything! I work in a factory as an assistant officer. My net income is RM1300 per month! To get to work 7 km away and to send my kid to the babysitter i have to drive my self because the public transport only decides to turn up when they feel like it!!!!!!!!! Moreover, to get from my house to my job of only 8 km distance away, i will have to travel on 2 busses that will take me 20 km in different directions before i can get to work. (What "great" public transportation we have here)!

Just for your infor I live in Seremban not too far off in the rural area but just about 1 hour's drive to KL But we have very crappy public transport services and i imagine most towns have this same crappy service too!

The 13yr old wira car i drive was actually my brother - in - law's old car, God Bless him, he let me use this car when he bought a new one late last year (an iswara) so that i can get to work on time.
I rent my house for RM280 a month and my babysitter cost me RM270 a month.
My utilities bill comes to RM100 and my phone bill around RM80.
I had to cancel my former credit card which i had from my single and free days and now i'm paying for it monthly until the year 2010! RM160 every month!
Then i put money a side for my kid's milk, diapers, food, gas, rice, (all these used to be around RM250 a month)
and of coz petrol! i used to spend RM120 for petrol a month.
And that would leave me RM40 a month for doctor's fees, and may be getting a new slippers for my kid or whatever needed for her.
How i've change my life style, I have not had a hair cut in 2 years! Let me just say i've made changes to my life style - drastic changes - from 2 years ago when my ex-husband left!

However, still, I used to get by. But Then came to petrol price increase!
And now, chicken price has gone up (i'm not even going to talk about the rice price!), eggs, milk, vege, fish, all up!
Even if i sell this old car i still wont be able to cover my expenses for food!
How much and how long do you think that RM625 cash will help me??
I'm so sick and tired of hearing them say change your life style!
There is nothing more for me to change! Unless i skip some meals, may be my breakfast and my lunch?? But then what if i get sick? Who will care for my daughter? How do i pay for the doctor? And if i don't go to work (because i'm sick) may be i might not have work anymore??
Then who will pay all the expenses? Where will i live?

Can the Government give me a house? Now, if I'm struggling now with my income, what about my other friends in this factory where we work together?

Whose salary are RM550 a month. There are 2 women here who are widows with school going kids! who works as operators for 5 - 8 years here and their salary NET only reaches RM650 a month!

lucky they have their own house and do not pay rent!
lucky one of them walks to work another cycles to work. But don't think the price of petrol has not affected them!
Because they still have to buy food and clothes and pay for the kids school bus all have increased!
but the income is still the same! So tell me, how they can get the RM625 subsidy???
What is the government going to do for them??All I hear on the government focused news are how they are trying to find ways to help the civil servants, I'm not saying they do not need help, but,
WHAT ABOUT US???
Is anyone doing anything for us or would you all prefer we just die of quietly??
Our income will not be increased, and you can bet because of everything the company will not increase the salaries for next year as well because they need to cut cost or close shop!
Then what will we do?? Did you know that you can get welfare help if your families income is RM350 and below only? This was what they told them and because they have work, they are not entitled for welfare help!
So can some one explain to US, THE REAL PEOPLE JUST WHAT THE HELL IS THERE FOR US TO CHANGE???
AND DO NOT TELL US TO GET ANOTHER JOB BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THE TIME!!!

I really do want a reply from someone who can really give me good clear answers not some "merry - go - round the bush" answer! Thank you!

I wrote this letter to the Star but there was no replies. I forwarded to the Malaysia Today Editor and They posted it on their website, i received many comments there. And I thank all of you for your comments.

"All compromise is based on give and take, but there can be no give and take on fundamentals. Any compromise on mere fundamentals is a surrender. For it is all give and no take." Mohandas Gandhi
An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching. Mohandas Gandhi