Fuel subsidies should stop. Period. As responsible Malaysians, we have to start thinking of the country's economy and sacrifices have to be made by all levels of the rakyat. It will be a painful. But if we were to enjoy the current peace and security (comparing to a worse of country like Indonesia, one should be thankful), we have to go through with it.

Nevertheless, Malaysians should expect to face waves after waves of price increases such as for groceries and other basic needs in another month or so because fuel and electricity are the basic resources for most businesses. So it is inevitable. The rebate that will be given by government although not much, will definitely help. So we should be thankful.

But what matters is that the Malaysian government should think of how to lower the burden of the price increases by looking to other sectors. This is what we entrusted them with.

For example, the government could reduce the income tax for all citizens. Just shifting the taxable income bracket upwards is a simple way to do it. This way, it would help the lower- income to middle- income earners (who are the majority in Malaysia) to ease their burdens.

Secondly, the government should immediately put to a halt to some of their mega-projects that obviously profits only a chosen few. I mean, do we really need another expensive Monsoon Cup sailing event?

Do we really need expensive submarines, jets and helicopters? Do we really need another tallest building in the world? Do we really need another long bridge? The government must learn to differentiate between necessity and luxury.

As awkward an example the following is going to be, I'm going to write it anyhow. Playing PC strategy games can make us understand more about necessity and luxury. For example, SimCity is such a game. When you build a city, you need to enhance the human factor first.

After that, perfect the basic facilities like water supply, electricity, sewerage and transportation. And continue to improve people's lives. All these are necessities. Then when the city thrives and the citizens' lives improves, you will generate more income than ever. And only then would you even bother to build wonders of the world like tallest building or other luxuries.

Just look at China. They manage to export their ‘Made In China’ products all over the world. The components made in China even went to space. While previously the quality was lacking, recently I noticed that even ‘Made In China’ cheap products have a certain level of acceptable quality.

And their move to build lots of ‘wonder buildings’ (in preparation for their 2008 Olympics - the Bird's Nest Stadium among other things) is a bold statement about their achievements.

Finally, the government should also expedite the move to create a stand-alone body to audit their own mega -projects or tenders. As we all know and heard, one pen was bought for RM11 or so and repairing the asbestos roof at a school costed RM20K while a digital camera cost RM5K.

All these are maybe minuscule compared to what government sees in their accounts everyday. But, as a famous Malay quote says: Sikit, sikit, lama-lama jadi bukit.

We, the rakyat, meanwhile, have to wise up and adjust our lives accordingly. We have no choice but to resort to cheaper and lower quality products whatever they are and whenever we can - baby's milk, clothes, household items and others.

Both government and the rakyat have to do our part and understand more about necessity and luxury. Ask these questions to yourselves: Do you need a pair of new shoes? Do you need to wear Prada? Do you need to change your sport rims or pimp up your ride?

Do you need to have dinner at Chillis or other expensive restaurants? Prioritise. Do not be demoralised over it either because we have no choice but to survive, especially parents that will shape their children’s future.