THERE is an old Chinese proverb that says; “If your shirt is on fire, you must put out the fire first before finding out how it started.”

This is the situation Malaysians are facing following the fuel price hike that triggered the rise in the prices of everything else leading to outbursts of anger and protests that have yet to abate.

We are now faced with two choices; to carry on protesting or knuckle down and face the reality that with global crude oil prices nearing the once unthinkable US$150  a barrel there is no way back to cheap fuel in the foreseeable future.

The latter of the two choices is not only wiser but the only one we have. Although it is impossible to call for calm and reason, amidst the anxiety and anger over the fuel price hike, we just have to ‘take the bull by its horns’. We need to look for ways to cope with the hard times we are facing instead of bickering over whose fault it was that led us to this predicament.

Perhaps the most important thing we must bear in mind is the fact there is no complete solution to the myriad of problems brought about by rising fuel price. We could only seek ways to mitigate them and adjust our lifestyle to cope with this harsh new reality.

As usual when the cost of living rises, the poor will be the hardest hit. It is this section of our society that whatever steps taken to cushion the blow of fuel hikes must be directed at.

One of the most obvious ways to cope with more expensive fuel is to use public transport but that option is not viable for most people in the state as our public transport system is very poorly developed and notoriously unreliable.

Many villages and housing estates, even in the outskirts of Kuching, are not served by public transport and commuters have to rely on van taxis, many of which are illegal, to go to town.

It is therefore imperative that a large portion of the billions of ringgit saved by the easing of fuel subsidy be used in improving our public transport system. However, to achieve this would take time. More immediate measures have to be taken to alleviate the suffering of the people.

To stem the increase of fares of public transport, subsidies should be given for licensed taxis and passenger vans. This would also enable legal taxis and vans to overcome the unfair competition from pirate taxis and ‘van sapu’.

As river transport is still vital in the state, special measures must be taken to help those who rely heavily on express boats and long boats for their transport especially those living in the upper reaches of rivers.

Among those hardest hit by fuel hikes are remote settlements and longhouses which rely on generators for electricity. Residents in these areas are already feeling the pinch as they are now forced to cut down the operating hours of their generators which mean shorter hours of electricity supply.

The government’s move to give rations of subsidised fuel through fleet cards to longhouses and other settlements without electricity supply to run their generators and outboard engines owners who rely on water transport as an immediate measure to ease their burden is highly laudable. The long-term solution may be in the installation of solar power supply and other alternative energy sources in their areas.

There are already various steps taken by the government to help the people cope with the inflation caused by rising fuel cost. However, the people must  realise that the government can only take measures to cushion the impact and cannot completely shield us from this global trend.

There is no light yet at the end of what will be a long tunnel of hard times ahead and the last thing we need now is public disorder brought about by street demonstrations and protests. For now, we just have to bite the bullet and adjust our lifestyle in order to make the best out of a bad situation until the dark clouds cast by the fuel hike roll away.

Our nation had ridden out many storms before, if we keep our heads and stay united, we will ride this out as well. Remember. Good times never last. Neither do bad times.

3rd Voice is a regular feature initiated by AZAM and Sarawak Development Institute. Feedback can be sent to paulina@azam.org.my