Half of M’sian households earn below RM3,000 a month!

[Harmony]

Reported in The Edge 10/07/08:

In the 2007 household income and facilities census by the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Of the 5.8 million households in the country, 8.6% have an income below RM1,000, 29.4% had between RM1,000 and RM2,000, while 19.8% earned between RM2,001 and RM3,000.

More here:
http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_af70373 0-cb73c03a-1b092820-e338574e

They should reveal how the higher bracket wage earners, too!

With prices of basic foodstuffs has gone sky-rokecting high, can we say, we expect crimes will be on the increase too ?? :( :( :(

[BTK]

Bottom line is our income or even if the company gives us yearly increment, it will never catch up with the inflation rate. We can continue to blame it on the government but unlikely there will be an overnite solution OR we ourselves can take some measures to lessen the impact on us.

How do we do that? List out your expenses for the month. Strike out those that you can live without and the rest replace/reduce whatever that you can with cheaper alternatives etc...etc. You'll be surprise how much expenses you can reduce. And of course, it requires a bit of sacrifices, maybe a slight change in your current lifestyles.

[Raikonen]

Reported in The Edge 10/07/08:

In the 2007 household income and facilities census by the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Of the 5.8 million households in the country, 8.6% have an income below RM1,000, 29.4% had between RM1,000 and RM2,000, while 19.8% earned between RM2,001 and RM3,000.


They should reveal how the higher bracket wage earners, too!


You actually believe the stats from these group of people? :D

[Harmony]

You actually believe the stats from these group of people? :D

You mean it can be worse :confused: ??? The gomen normally paint rosy pictures :rolleyes: ....

[orchipalar]

You mean it can be worse :confused: ??? The gomen normally paint rosy pictures :rolleyes: ....Err...Saudari Harmony...our gomen paints unemployment rate at
3.2%(2007 est.) (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/my.html) ...n Malaysian living under Poverty Line released our gomen's 'official' figure is only 5.1%(2002 est.)...??????.

Orchi's present estimates...1 out of 10 Malaysian work force is without any employment...n 3 out of 10 Malaysian work force are without permanent jobs...n 1.5 out of 10 Malaysian work force are civil servants...

As with the 50% average Malaysian household income below RM3,000 per month...50% Malaysians are considered to be of lower than RM3,000 per month income group...with at least ANOTHER 10% of Malaysians living under Poverty Line(UN standard bukan by Malaysian)...as far as Orchi is concerned.

[spinner]

Whether the unemployment rate is 3.2% or 32% or 0.32% doesnt matter, because as long as you got a job, even though with RM300 monthly salary, you are considered to be employed..

With only RM3k, i can only make myself hardly survive, with paying housing loan, car loan, meals, petrol, tolls, parking, utilities etc etc... what more to say a HOUSEHOLD?

[bobkee]

Not surprising. I've not been above the RM36,000/annum bracket for quite a few years. Am frequently surprised by folks who are surprised that one can somehow survive, with family and all, on that or less.

[kwchang]

Earning below RM3K per month is a real challenge if you live within big cities, especially in the Klang Valley. I take my hat off to all in that category who are pulling through on 3K or less per month. What we need to know is HOW they are making it possible to survive on a monthly household income or RM3K or less.

For example, I have a female cousin who lived below the poverty line (that would probably be below RM500 in those days of our past) many years ago with 5 children and a jobless husband. She has it easier today because her children have all grown up and become independent. I am amazed how she managed in her earlier years. She sent her kids to live with close relatives but still maintained close contacts. Then she took on odd jobs like washing dishes and doing laundry work for other families. She saved enough to put a downpayment for a single-story terrace house (in those days it cost below RM20,000 but a princely sum nontheless for anyone below the poverty line). Once the house was ready, she rented it out and used the rental to pay off the mortgage. She lives in her own house today - once it was fully paid off. Not once did she complain about her poverty. I believe a positive outlook and willingness to live within her means allowed her family to weather the storm with dignity. She is a great lady and I am so proud of her.

[fRaNkY]

Remember my grandfather's time when meal was porridge, salt fish and fermented soya cube("FooYu") :D This goes on until he pass away when I was in Sec 5 despite there other simple dishes for my parents and siblings. His only vice is 555 ciggies...

[tsd]

Remember my grandfather's time when meal was porridge, salt fish and fermented soya cube("FooYu") :D This goes on until he pass away when I was in Sec 5 despite there other simple dishes for my parents and siblings. His only vice is 555 ciggies...

even if everyone goes on the porridge, salted fish and fermented soya cube.. we will still find it hard to survive.

In the past we dont need have so many things to pay. I remember when I was younger, our electric bill never exceeds RM10. We dont have to pay indah water for our sh*t, We can use bicycle to go to most of the places, try to cycle across our roads nowadays. If we want fruits, just go to some fruit trees...and many more free stuff during those time. We no longer have all these. We have to pay for everything.

[xaviers]

do you think they care ? Sorry la... the people up there cares for themselves.
Cantonese say...lei sei, lei chee kei see

BTW ... have you guys checked out prices of salted fish...no more poor man's food leh.

[tsd]

do you think they care ? Sorry la... the people up there cares for themselves.
Cantonese say...lei sei, lei chee kei see

BTW ... have you guys checked out prices of salted fish...no more poor man's food leh.

yep salted fish are no longer cheap item... rice are also geting more expensive. Maybe soon we will just have tapioca ( ubi-kayu ) porridge with salt for our meals :mad:

[CS Chua]

Let me try to list out the monthly expenses on $3K for a couple and 2 kids (secondary schools).

1. A 3-room flat 500.00
2. Utilities (no air con) 120.00
3. Internet (must have) 66.00
4. Phone 50.00
5. Hand phone (minimum) 30.00
6. Car loan (Kancil) 500.00
7. Monthly petrol (2000 km) 200.00
8. Car maintenance (est) 100.00
9. Allowance for each kid x 2 200.00
10. School fees and misc 50.00
11. Living expenses 1000.00
12. Entertainment 100.00
13. Medical insurances 100.00
14. Medical bills 50.00
15. EPF reduction 360.00

Total RM3426.00

Oops, looks like they have to make some adjustments to this imaginary lifestyle.

[terisunny]

and teo chew porriage is now for the well-to-do..the cost of having a nice porriage meal is sky high....used to be the trishaw puller's staple meal.....

[fRaNkY]

ubi kayu might be expensive in the market.... where got people plant ubi kayu in sj? :D

Maybe IWK sludge cake with lalang soup.

[janet_ng]

Compare the research perform by Malaysia Govt, below is UK govt detail reserach and it took 2 years. Very interesting statistics categories by singles, family, elderly.

Just publish 2nd Jul, 2008.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7481927.stm

[Sato]

Let me list down someone expenses that I know,he have 2 jobs as well as doing part-time sales to cover all the expenses :

1. A single storey 3 room rental 650.00
2. Utilities (with air con) 160.00
3. Internet (must have) 77.00
4. Phone 50.00
5. Hand phone with 1 sub-line 120.00
6. Car loan (Kancil) 350.00 for 9 years loan
7. Monthly petrol 280.00 Puchong travel to Shah Alam
8. Car maintenance (est) 150.00 every 5k km service
9. Allowance for each kid x 2 350.00 price for everything increase
10. School fees and misc 300.00 (include "donation" for school
11. Living expenses 1200.00
12. Entertainment 0.00
13. Medical insurances 600.00 medical card
14. Medical bills 500.00
15. EPF reduction 360.00

Total RM5147.00


OMG! he is going to declare bankrupt soon maybe need to put up a tent in padang bola for the rest of his life. :mad:

[CS Chua]

Actually, it is highly unlikely that a person will need $500 for medical bill every month unless he is a very sick man. However medications are very expensive especially for hypertension and diabetics. Especially when one is above 50 years old. Perhaps changing medical bills to medication is better.

As for the medical card, $600 per month seems excessive i.e. $7,200 annually. Perhaps he should do away with this insurance or convert it to life insurance.

[HTCHONG]

Statistic is a bunch of cock-and-bull stories if intention is evil. Statistic is for those who are honestly doing their job to rectify problem…..go to the street and listen to the people.

Those public office holders must not only have a good brain but a good heart too, so that whatever done is for the benefit of all.

When income affected, crime rate increase is obvious but there are a lot more side effects, among those are child abuse due to family violence and suicide. These are resulted from incompetent and dishonest public office holders…sinful. :mad:

[Sato]

Actually, it is highly unlikely that a person will need $500 for medical bill every month unless he is a very sick man. However medications are very expensive especially for hypertension and diabetics. Especially when one is above 50 years old. Perhaps changing medical bills to medication is better.

As for the medical card, $600 per month seems excessive i.e. $7,200 annually. Perhaps he should do away with this insurance or convert it to life insurance.

oops sorry i ommited that the medical card is for yearly payment, while the medical bill seem real for someone with diabetic problem, the medication actually cost a lot. The rest will stay the same every month for him. Actually my mother-in-law also suffering diabetics, her medication actually cost more than RM700 monthly and not all her medicine are available most of the time as supply is limited for some of her medicine.

[CS Chua]

Sigh, yes, I found out that diabetics is an expensive illness. This is make up by cutting down on food which helps to save a little bit more.

[Harmony]

Sigh, yes, I found out that diabetics is an expensive illness.

Hmmm... have to go to gomen hospital lor....
Talking of which, lets demand for 1 in SJ/USJ. Isn't it justifiable with >100k residents in MPSJ area??

[AllUrban]

Hmmm... have to go to gomen hospital lor....
Talking of which, lets demand for 1 in SJ/USJ. Isn't it justifiable with >100k residents in MPSJ area??There will probably be a government hospital in Puchong soon.

If we could get regular bus service from SJ to Putrajaya then there would be that option as well.

I have, for a very long time, written that public transport is the way to go to increase people's mobility and employability and income all at the same time.

Having a car may get you a job but there is no guarantee your income will go any higher. What is the point of RM800 extra per month salary or bonus if it all goes to your car?

Cheers, m

[anny]

I know some of this people survive by having no insurances at all, eating rice with sambal most of the time (sometimes, some ikan kembung and kangkung) , no internet and airconds and having a motorbike only.

So, RM 3K is enough for them but not everyone can 'change our lifestyle' to become like that. ;)

[ESLord]

Yes- there are many ppl that buy second grade vege... those that are not fresh, dried, yellow or has worm hole. They can also afford chicken, ie only chicken neck and feet and cook it with curry. They could be among us as our fren, co-worker etc, just that it is not something that one would like to tell other ppl.

Please do not get the sense that I discriminate them- infact, i do feel that many of us is very wasteful picking only the top quality food-vege.

At time, i feel like it we have up our living standard a lot in the last 10 years, so high that we feeling the economic pressure.

Btw:- just can't ignore the fact that there are 2 post that says internet and air cond is a must. It is not mentioned, but astro is probably another must.

May be we should rethink- isn't that luxury?

[orchipalar]

Hmmm... have to go to gomen hospital lor....
Talking of which, lets demand for 1 in SJ/USJ. Isn't it justifiable with >100k residents in MPSJ area??Err buddy Harmony...since you mentioned it...Orchi sokong 100%...!!!

Sorry to digress here...but the entire MPSJ's territory would probably over 1 million inhabitants...+ or - 100,000...(even the gomen lost track of accurate figures since)

But then again...like many other existing gomen hospitals today in populated communities...they are being over flooded with treating the illegal immigrants n foreign workers...

Nak dapat hospital bed...to give birth to Malaysian babies also tak senang nak perolehi lagi...

When was the last time anyone been to ANY gomen hospitals...with the exception of the one operational in Putrajaya...???

Back to topic...dear Chang...sorry to say...a same family facing with the similar circumstances like your relative's past...would probably NEVER be able to cut it in same manner like in these days n ages...in the cities.

For an example: Those days many years ago...a single storey house at the back of Malaysian Sulphur factory near Sg. Way...cost around 10K...but nowadays...over 200K.

[Harmony]

When was the last time anyone been to ANY gomen hospitals...

I went to UH (the gomen part, not UMMC) a few days ago for a (dental) surgery. I am impressed with their services! The 1st visit a month ago took a longer (waiting) time but the 2nd visit was very quick cos I have already secured an appointment.

Both the nurse and dentist were very pleasant, gentle and professional. They made me feel very comfortable that I didn't feel as nervous as I'd normally do when visiting dentist! Prior to my appointment date, the nurse sent me an sms as a reminder And the price I paid afterwards was less than half than what I would have to pay to the private practitioner, for the same quality of service, if not better! ..... :)

I will continue to visit the UH dentist from now on, and say goodbye to the dentist that my family has been visiting for the past 15 years! Not that they are no good, but cost-savings, mah.... :p

[CS Chua]

I know some of this people survive by having no insurances at all, eating rice with sambal most of the time (sometimes, some ikan kembung and kangkung) , no internet and airconds and having a motorbike only.

So, RM 3K is enough for them but not everyone can 'change our lifestyle' to become like that. ;)
After meeting people from many parts of the world, I was surprised to know that many do not eat meat everyday. Lots of them in Indonesia, Middle East and elsewhere eat meat once a week or 2 weeks. It is not because they do not like meat but they simply cannot afford meat regularly.

And when I think of our eating habits, especially the Chinese, meat is a compulsory ingredient in our daily diet. Most noodles will have meat. And we consume whole chunk of it during dinner.

That does speak volumes of our standard of living here. Even a household earning $3K can afford meat everyday.

[xaviers]

Let me list down someone expenses that I know,he have 2 jobs as well as doing part-time sales to cover all the expenses :

1. A single storey 3 room rental 650.00
2. Utilities (with air con) 160.00
3. Internet (must have) 77.00
4. Phone 50.00
5. Hand phone with 1 sub-line 120.00
6. Car loan (Kancil) 350.00 for 9 years loan
7. Monthly petrol 280.00 Puchong travel to Shah Alam
8. Car maintenance (est) 150.00 every 5k km service
9. Allowance for each kid x 2 350.00 price for everything increase
10. School fees and misc 300.00 (include "donation" for school
11. Living expenses 1200.00
12. Entertainment 0.00
13. Medical insurances 600.00 medical card
14. Medical bills 500.00
15. EPF reduction 360.00

Total RM5147.00


OMG! he is going to declare bankrupt soon maybe need to put up a tent in padang bola for the rest of his life. :mad:

For get to add tax ..leh... govt mau makan

Sad isn't it everything this guys has on a balance. Any external factors like ...
interest rate, petrol prices, emergencies.... is really really really going to affect him drastically.

Not so say cannot even think about how he going to live out his retirement.

[chaywh]

For get to add tax ..leh... govt mau makan

Sad isn't it everything this guys has on a balance. Any external factors like ...
interest rate, petrol prices, emergencies.... is really really really going to affect him drastically.

Not so say cannot even think about how he going to live out his retirement.

That's one of the reasons why most of the retirees will gambling their limited savings and EPF; and so many are depending on their children financially... when one brings financial problems to children, same thing will happen repeated again and again, children-to-grandchildren. This is not the best way to overcome one's financial problem.

Even demonstration in nowadays wouldn't work, I mean the gov hardly give you what you want, but they still will give you something else la.. If you want some rice, they will give you sweets :) Coz from the economic point of view, there are different "stables/ balances" in one country, and the gov cannot balance everything of coz, one of the reasons - to fulfil investors needs. Well, i believe Dr. M was a good leader as at least he was able to control the "balances" and minimizing the impact of financial crisis.

Retirement??? ha haa... you need different planing(s) in financial. :)

[cutebanana]

Let me list down someone expenses that I know,he have 2 jobs as well as doing part-time sales to cover all the expenses :

1. A single storey 3 room rental 650.00
2. Utilities (with air con) 160.00
3. Internet (must have) 77.00
4. Phone 50.00
5. Hand phone with 1 sub-line 120.00
6. Car loan (Kancil) 350.00 for 9 years loan
7. Monthly petrol 280.00 Puchong travel to Shah Alam
8. Car maintenance (est) 150.00 every 5k km service
9. Allowance for each kid x 2 350.00 price for everything increase
10. School fees and misc 300.00 (include "donation" for school
11. Living expenses 1200.00
12. Entertainment 0.00
13. Medical insurances 600.00 medical card
14. Medical bills 500.00
15. EPF reduction 360.00

Total RM5147.00


OMG! he is going to declare bankrupt soon maybe need to put up a tent in padang bola for the rest of his life. :mad:

Internet is not a must have

Car maintenance can be stretched to every 10,000 km

Donation for school can be postponed

Kids allowance @ RM 10.00 per day is more than enough

[chaywh]

Internet is not a must have

Car maintenance can be stretched to every 10,000 km

Donation for school can be postponed

Kids allowance @ RM 10.00 per day is more than enough

and the whole family members can eat instant noddle, buy cotton is cheaper :p

[kwchang]

...Kids allowance @ RM 10.00 per day is more than enough
:eek: Wow, and to think in my time, my "allowance" was 2 biscuits and a tumbler of Ribena drink (made from the cordial bottle, not prepacked). Even at this present day, my kids don't get that much allowance. May I ask, are they Primary, Secondary or Tiertary level?

[Kittycat]

Kids allowance RM10 per day is not enough if meals (lunch especially) are taken at mamak shop. Once, I had lunch at one of the mamak shop near Hosp Ampang at Pandan Mewah & saw lots of school kids having lunch there (some boys were even openly smoking in school uniforms :eek: ). I'm sure the ciggies were bought with their school allowance. My brother (Form 3) gets between RM1 & RM1.50 per day & some days even less if he brings home prepared food to school.

[bslee]

My family were well to do BUT, I had 30-50sen a day only till Form 5...way back in mid 70's. Richer kids got RM1/day..thats in KL. Oh well, fated for most Malaysians back then who were mostly "poor and many even poorer". I have the impression that kids are somewhat spoilt now and its going to be worse, not better...its the current parent's mindset...like to be prudent or very calculative where it doesn't really matter and spend freely on other personal desires...tell me I'm wholly wrong.

[chaywh]

Guys, make sure your kids have more-than-enough money in their pocket, else they might make a hole under your drawer one day. It's not a good way to teach children to spend wisely by controling their pocket money, coz they will not understand why you do so. Why not if you can control and develop their spending behavior..doesn't this will make them learn and understand better as you can monitor them putting such behavior in practise? :)

[CS Chua]

Internet is not a must have

Car maintenance can be stretched to every 10,000 km

Donation for school can be postponed

Kids allowance @ RM 10.00 per day is more than enough
I feel that internet is essential for preparing kids for the future. Even poor kids. Otherwise they are stuck in a rut. Internet exposes them to things that we can never do. Of course there are bad things but there are more good things and we want to focus on the good thing.

My younger sister struggles financially so she cannot afford a computer. I gave them my used desktop. That got her kids interested and when she can afford it, she bought a new one much later. Her eldest son (Form 4 then) was making money by selling certain role-playing games like War Craft after he had played it to a high level (level 8 or 9) and sells them for $50 per game. I was surprised to know that there is a market for this! Some people are just too lazy and want to be at level 9 right away.

There exists an opportunity and he took it.

[CS Chua]

:eek: Wow, and to think in my time, my "allowance" was 2 biscuits and a tumbler of Ribena drink (made from the cordial bottle, not prepacked). Even at this present day, my kids don't get that much allowance. May I ask, are they Primary, Secondary or Tiertary level?
Most of our parents migrate from China and we are first generation Malaysians (or is that 2nd generation?) Our parents have to suffer the most to make life in this country and hence as children we have to bear with their lifestyle.

Now that we are all grown up and have our own kids, our kids do not have to go through what we went through. I was barefooted until Standard 1 (except for CNY.) But my kids want Reebok and Nike (and they are rewarded as such when they get good grades otherwise the old Bata shoes are just as good.)

I guess when my kids have their own kids, their kids will not have to earn their Nike shoes. Life is getting better as the generation continues. I guess, this is what they call progress.

[chaywh]

Most of our parents migrate from China and we are first generation Malaysians (or is that 2nd generation?) Our parents have to suffer the most to make life in this country and hence as children we have to bear with their lifestyle.

Now that we are all grown up and have our own kids, our kids do not have to go through what we went through. I was barefooted until Standard 1 (except for CNY.) But my kids want Reebok and Nike (and they are rewarded as such when they get good grades otherwise the old Bata shoes are just as good.)

I guess when my kids have their own kids, their kids will not have to earn their Nike shoes. Life is getting better as the generation continues. I guess, this is what they call progress.

Yes, you are right! It's call progress. Just like if parents education and literacy was at Form 5 level, they wouldn't ask their kids to do the same..at least a Degree laa nowadays... Well, this is what Chinese people do, no matter how poor they are, they will still "die" out the required funds for their kids' education.

[bslee]

Well, this is what Chinese people do, no matter how poor they are, they will still "die" out the required funds for their kids' education.

Perhaps this is one factor that in 50 years since independence I think there's not a single hard-core poor Malaysian Chinese family around. Education IS the key to success and the route out of poverty. Malaysian Chinese also think hard about stability before marraige to ensure minimal support problems for the welfare of their offspring. This is not very apparent with others Malaysians.. jump in first and pray that the Almighty will provide. Cannot tahan, jump ship!. :eek:

[anny]

Err, what about the Chinese VCD Sellers ? I don' t think they are well educated. Infact, they can't find proper work...But they will find any kind of work, even illegal work :D

Can't blame some religious people for always trusting in the Almighty la... When you lost hope in mankind, you hope for Greater Power... :D

[CS Chua]

Conversely, Chinese likes to gamble too. The loan shark problems are usually Chinese. It is no exaggeration when a casino owner said that the Chinese is God's gift to the casinos! Without them, the casino will have a hard time surviving. :o

[bslee]

Err, what about the Chinese VCD Sellers ? I don' t think they are well educated. Infact, they can't find proper work...But they will find any kind of work, even illegal work :D


Its better than they become good for nothing, involve themselves in drugs and turn to extortionists, petty thieves and house breaking robbers. I've heard rumors that PDRM close one eye on these people as long as they don't do criminal acts that disappoint people.

[chaywh]

ha ha... it also proves that chinese is a great risk taker :) higher risk higher reward. But then illegal issue is depending on individual perception, if one illegal activity is being approved by the gov, then it becomes legal...can't you see why certain people can get gov loan easily with lower interest rate and defer repayment... while many others need to borrow from loan shark? Another example (i said example), when i posted "for bumi only" in petronas topic, the administrator warned me. As for now i'm talking about chinese illegal DCD business, no one cares. Do you think there is really no other races are selling pirated DVD?

How many beggars in a country is determined by its gov, not the beggars!

[Garo]

Let me list down someone expenses that I know,he have 2 jobs as well as doing part-time sales to cover all the expenses :

1. A single storey 3 room rental 650.00
2. Utilities (with air con) 160.00
3. Internet (must have) 77.00
4. Phone 50.00
5. Hand phone with 1 sub-line 120.00
6. Car loan (Kancil) 350.00 for 9 years loan
7. Monthly petrol 280.00 Puchong travel to Shah Alam
8. Car maintenance (est) 150.00 every 5k km service
9. Allowance for each kid x 2 350.00 price for everything increase
10. School fees and misc 300.00 (include "donation" for school
11. Living expenses 1200.00
12. Entertainment 0.00
13. Medical insurances 600.00 medical card
14. Medical bills 500.00
15. EPF reduction 360.00

Total RM5147.00


OMG! he is going to declare bankrupt soon maybe need to put up a tent in padang bola for the rest of his life. :mad:

Villi isi la brothers. Ppl making 800/mth still can have 1 wife and 4 children.
Expenses depends on the persons needs in live. If you demand higher, you cost of living will go hire. If you demand lower, you cost of living will go lower.
Let me try it out:-

1. Rent small house - 1 bedroom 1 toilet - hse facing behind someone's hse - 150/mth
2. utilities - 2 table fan only - 35
3. internet - donno how to use!!!
4. Phone - Zero -no fix line la -whr got money to pay deposit???
5. H/phone - 15 to 30 (unwanted phone from friend. Free)
6. Motorcylce loan - 80 (second hand cup - 1k)
7. M/c maintainance - service if only breakdown - 16 (50/3mth)
8. Allowance for kids t0 school - zero (tapao from hse ma)
9. Entertaiment - TV collected from dumpsite. Teh tarik if only fren belanja :-)
10. Living expenses - 300/mth (no eating outside) all tapao from home.
(Dinner: rice with sambal belacan and vege-paku pakis from bushes. )
11. No medical insurance - where can effort
12. Medical fees - Gh - 10
13. EPF - no deduction - 80
Total : RM701.
Oh ya - petrol - 30

Still got balance 70 saving fro emergency.

How's that?. Realistic?.

if you are middle income people earn something like 2 to 3k /mth,
surely you will die :-)

most poor people in the world is middle income group.
Owe this owe that. Car loan, hse loan, internet, handphone,
holiday......bla bla bla.

Chinese said : mou kam tai kor tau mou tai kam tai ting mou

heeheeheee

[anny]

You are so right.. ;) :D

Where got money to talk about retirement / investment after all that, eh?
Its the middle income suffering cause they are stressed up in the rat race.

[denver]

Half of M’sian households earn below RM3,000 a month!

Actually, if you think about it, it also means that HALF of malaysian household earns MORE than RM3,000 per month! That's not bad actually.

If you live in KL, and single, and you earn RM3,000 or less, you could survive with that amount. Hidup bujang...rent an apartment with 5-6 friends...rental only RM100 per month...common what? But if you live in KL and you have a family of 4, then yes you would struggle a bit financially.

But the thing is, KL is not Malaysia. KL is just about 20% of Malaysia (in term of size and population). In other parts of Malaysia, say Melaka, Kuantan etc, a RM3,000 salary is considered okay...because cost of living is lower...housing/rental is cheaper, no tols, petrol cost low as no need to travel long distances to anywhere.

For KL folks, the cost of petrol and tol is a lot, especially if your office is >25km from home. I was in Kuantan a few months back and I told a local colleague that I was staying at a hotel which is just 10-15km away. His reaction was "wahh so far away?" To them, 15km is already far, whereas in KL, 10-15km is considered nearby. He said he only need to drive a around 10km per day for everyday living/working in Kuantan...it's a relatively small town, everything not far from one another. Plus cost of food is also lower compared to KL. A friend of mine who moves back to his hometown in Melaka, his job in Melaka pays 40% lower salary than his KL job, yet despite that, in Melaka, he lives in a spacious link house (cheaper cost of houses), he has all the nice things, he's home by 6.00pm, more time for his family...less stress....and generally he said he has better quality of life compares to living in KL. I was sighing with envy when I heard that.

So actually, pity to us who lives in Klang Valley...but for the rest of Malaysia, I think you can survive with RM3,000 per month without much problem.

[Sato]

Internet is not a must have

Car maintenance can be stretched to every 10,000 km

Donation for school can be postponed

Kids allowance @ RM 10.00 per day is more than enough

Internet is a must have to read alternative media :D

Donation to you might be postponed but to some school that i know its a compulsory matters failing which your kid future will be penalise.

As for food wise, unless you know how to cook otherwise you still need to spend, some school selling a chicken drumstick for RM3 like Kuen Ching School, no more prices like RM1.20 for a chicken drumstick.

[chaywh]

it is worse than 1997 financial crisis coz during that time Dr.M knows how to minimize the impact, as for now i only see starwars everywhere.

[uchangeng]

:mad: Our cost of living is directly affected by the higher cost of government.

And the more corrupt the politikus and the public servants are, the higher the cost of the government to the people. Someone has to pay the corrupts and the higher cost of living the result of it.

Here are why?

Petrol price: government controlled. Eventhough we are a net exporter of high grade crude oil, I don know why the government is talking about subsidy! Subsidy paid to who ? We sold our right to the oil in our ground to foreigners already or what?

Toll rate:Government Controlled. Already, we are paying higher road tax compared to neighboring countries and our toll rate never fail to go up and up.

Rice price: Monopolised by a single government crony company, price is up to them. Although we were once rice self-sufficient.

Cooking oil:Government controlled. But we are a world class palm oil producer! 70% of our agriculture land is planted with oil plams and we are talking about costly cooking oil, where is the logics?

Medical Cost: General Hospital rates have shot thru the roof, again it is
Govenrment controlled. 80% of the population have no access. You risk death waiting in a queue!

Cost to get a foreign worker or a house servant: Exorbitant fees required by agents(who are Dato and Datin and Tan Sri) who claim to have cable connection with high officials or powerful politikus in the immigration, if not, your application can takes years!(it is good that ACA nets the DG and his cohorts)

On the other hand, everywhere we go in the private enterprises, we are talking about cost reduction.

But politicians who run our government are talking about higher cost in the exact opposite.

The summation is , corruptions add spiralling cost to our government!

The corrupts need to recoup their so call "invetsment" and make more millions out of their positions while they can. They operate like a man waiting for his last reward. All this cost will invariably passed down hard on the helpless people!

To CUT GOVERNMENT COST. It is NOT about token cutting down on ministers pays and perks, CUT OFF the corrupts!

I make as much as a minister in terms of salary, but I cannot afford to live like them: bunglow, polygamy, big carS, send their children to overseas education (while championing others to go to Sekolah Atap) and if you try to call them, you will always find them on a perpectual overseas trips.

And if we complain, we are a threat to national security!

[chaywh]

:And if we complain, we are a threat to national security!

Haa haa.. you already complain so much :p Well, i believe that in every country there are always unfair matters and it just that.... Malaysia is the worst! I think there are not much choices in turning around the situation, unless we declare a war, or ignore everything and save our time in doing what we wanted to do in life. At least the effectiveness is there. Demonstration.... too many already nowadays, very common and not effective anymore.

[Garo]

Guys. We always complaint about Petrol price hike!!!
We can't live with it.
But what happened to those countries which have no oil production
such as Thai, Viet, Philippine, Myanmar, India, etc.......

Will this impact be temporary and after we used to it,
we can cope with it?.
Or our country should follow other country like India
where they have labour union asking for hike in employee salary
in accordance to petrol and other essential item hike?.

One day, we will be same like India and China.
The gap between rich and poor is very huge.
The rich one will be richer and the poor one will be poorer.
OMG. Pls save us.