Are Majority of Malaysians Stupid?

[ixeo]

Government says Hybrid cars are import and excise free. Of course, there's still 10% sales tax.

Honda CR-Z starts at RM119,000. Removing the 10% sales tax, it is ~RM108,200, the price with NO TAX, NO IMPORT TAX, NO DUTY, NOTHING.

RM108,200 = USD$34790.95

Honda CR-Z sells for
US$19,975 in the United States

USD$25,340 in Japan

USD$25,826 (GBP$16,999) in UK

So, if there's NO TAX, NO IMPORT DUTY, NO EXCISE DUTY, why so big difference? Where's the money going?

Yet, people still buying and feel its normal. So they don't know how to count or their just stupid? No wonder the government can rule for so long, cause majority of the people are stupid?

 

[6UE5t]

No lah, don't be so pessimistic. I don't think most Malaysians are stupid (if I think that, then I would not come to work here!)
I think people still buy cause they just don't have much choice. At least for the hybrid cars, it's not like 2x-3x the normal prices like other cars. So despite the suspicious difference, people might still be better off to buy them compared to other normal cars. So it's like choosing the least worse of the worse.

 

[VTEC LoVeR]

The are a lot of hidden tax that even government not dare to declare. If Malaysia follow the average price tag among the world for the hybrid cars, Proton and Perodua can pour to drain already lah... hahahaha

 

[ixeo]

So government cheating the rakyat? Where's the money going? Nobody bother to ask? lol.

 

[Waiora_ProTuner]

Why you didn't say that Honda Malaysia get the huge profit here?

 

[ixeo]

Why you didn't say that Honda Malaysia get the huge profit here?

Possible, but last I checked, prices of cars is not determined by the car company but by MITI. Remember VW Polo GTi price increment? Wasn't done by VW Cars Malaysia.

 

[Veloc]

Buying cars is not stupid. Voting for this government is. Why? Because it is the main medium of transport here. To work, send kids to school, groceries, family outings, etc. Public transport here sucks shit if you know what I mean. Try visiting Singapore, UK, Hong Kong. Their commuters and buses are so good. Clean, well maintained, punctual, comfortable. In those places, people don't need cars to work and travel. Owning a car is more of a luxury instead of a necessity. Here, owning a basic car is necessary. Owning a luxury/sports car is luxury... Here, without car, life stops.

 

[ixeo]

Its not about buying cars really, its about being lied to and deceived, and since this is a car forum, I'm using cars to state the case.

BTW, Honda Malaysia is JV between Honda and.... DRB-HICOM. Ask yourself who is DRB-HICOM, then answer me if its nothing to do with the government. LOL. See, people are just plain stupid and ignorant.

 

[Waiora_ProTuner]

Yes, I know the each import brand car price set by MITI...but its just there to extend the price margin between local and import car..
In case of hybrid car, most of the profit goes to Honda..or Toyota...or Lexus...

 

[ixeo]

Yes, I know the each import brand car price set by MITI...but its just there to extend the price margin between local and import car..
In case of hybrid car, most of the profit goes to Honda..or Toyota...or Lexus...

Ok, so assume we use your theory, MITI set prices, profit goes to Honda/Toyota/Lexus.

IF, there were no tax breaks for hybrids, the income generated from duties & taxes goes directly to the government, which, indirectly belongs to the rakyat. Net result, rakyat still pay high price BUT government coffers get fatter.

Instead, government gives tax breaks for hybrids, and in turn, MITI jacks up the price, and the money goes to the private institutions owned by you-know-who *cough cronies linked company cough*. And net result, rakyat still pay high price. Worst still, government don't generate income from it. And certain people's wallet get fatter.

Sounds like a rakyat lose-lose-lose situation, which is why I say Malaysians are stupid, they talk about the hybrid tax breaks like government was really supporting cleaner technology, giving benefits and real tax breaks. Actually they just robbing the rakyat blind.

 

[DanzEterna]

dun worry, next month u guys know which party to vote....

 

[Waiora_ProTuner]

Agree with you.
But similar to what 6UE5t said, its the least of the worse..

And in case of Malaysian demand, i don't think buying car in Malaysia is a necessity anymore..
C segment has the highest sale here...there's no reason to reduce price...

Rakyat 'willing' to pay higher price...but then lament about it...

 

[ixeo]

dun worry, next month u guys know which party to vote....

I HOPE so. Just worried people are stupid, that's all.

Agree with you.
But similar to what 6UE5t said, its the least of the worse..

And in case of Malaysian demand, i don't think buying car in Malaysia is a necessity anymore..
C segment has the highest sale here...there's no reason to reduce price...

Rakyat 'willing' to pay higher price...but then lament about it...

Urm, sales of car has been going up, national cars are leading. Ask the people who buy national cars, would they buy it if they had a choice? I would dare say NO. BUT, choosing the government who determines the national automotive policy, they have a choice. But apparently they don't know how to choose.

 

[6UE5t]

Buying cars is not stupid. Voting for this government is. Why? Because it is the main medium of transport here. To work, send kids to school, groceries, family outings, etc. Public transport here sucks shit if you know what I mean. Try visiting Singapore, UK, Hong Kong. Their commuters and buses are so good. Clean, well maintained, punctual, comfortable. In those places, people don't need cars to work and travel. Owning a car is more of a luxury instead of a necessity. Here, owning a basic car is necessary. Owning a luxury/sports car is luxury... Here, without car, life stops.

True public transport here is not yet up to the level of those countries you mentioned BUT it's actually quite decent and getting better I think. Why I said so? Cuz I was using it for more than 3 yrs non-stop every day along with my wife and small kids (one of them were still a baby at the time!) before I decided to buy cars here! Went to work, to school, shopping, eating, sight seeing, hospital, etc2. all using public transports (RapidKL, Metro bus, LRT, & Monorail) from the first day I came here in late 2007 to early 2011! Even my folks from back home when they came here the first time, we use public transport to go everywhere. If it was so bad, I would not be able to last using public transport that long, would I? I know every citizen always naturally demands more and more of their government, but sometimes you also have to be a bit objective and somewhat appreciate (to a certain degree) for what you already have. I know it's difficult for people on the inside to feel that way and only those from the outside who had experienced a lot worse can appreciate more. :)

Btw the only public transport which I agree is a total crap here is taxi! Taxi here is just unbelievably worse than I expected, way2 much worse than I've ever experienced anywhere (except India). This is the only public transport which is totally embarrassing in Malaysia by any standard! I wish Bluebird from Jakarta come here and open business to show how it should be done!

---------- Post added at 11:08 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 11:04 PM ----------

I HOPE so. Just worried people are stupid, that's all.

Urm, sales of car has been going up, national cars are leading. Ask the people who buy national cars, would they buy it if they had a choice? I would dare say NO. BUT, choosing the government who determines the national automotive policy, they have a choice. But apparently they don't know how to choose.

Well choosing a government is not just by looking at the automotive policies, there are many other important thing or even more so to consider than just cars.

 

[LesleyAprotto]

Dont think majority of Malaysians are stupid...

Its only that they dont have a choice...

Maybe next month election time, they might have a choice!

A good choice may open doors to cheaper cars, lower toll rates, and overall better standard of living!

So you guys, take it from here.......!

 

[Waiora_ProTuner]

True public transport here is not yet up to the level of those countries you mentioned BUT it's actually quite decent and getting better I think. Why I said so? Cuz I was using it for more than 3 yrs non-stop every day along with my wife and small kids (one of them were still a baby at the time!) before I decided to buy cars here! Went to work, to school, shopping, eating, sight seeing, hospital, etc2. all using public transports (RapidKL, Metro bus, LRT, & Monorail) from the first day I came here in late 2007 to early 2011! Even my folks from back home when they came here the first time, we use public transport to go everywhere. If it was so bad, I would not be able to last using public transport that long, would I? I know every citizen always naturally demands more and more of their government, but sometimes you also have to be a bit objective and somewhat appreciate (to a certain degree) for what you already have. I know it's difficult for people on the inside to feel that way and only those from the outside who had experienced a lot worse can appreciate more. :)

Btw the only public transport which I agree is a total crap here is taxi! Taxi here is just unbelievably worse than I expected, way2 much worse than I've ever experienced anywhere (except India). This is the only public transport which is totally embarrassing in Malaysia by any standard! I wish Bluebird from Jakarta come here and open business to show how it should be done!

---------- Post added at 11:08 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 11:04 PM ----------



Well choosing a government is not just by looking at the automotive policies, there are many other important thing or even more so to consider than just cars.

yup..i won't dare to ride taxi in Malaysia..similar to China..
Bluebird in Indonesia is a good example...cheap but good by Malaysia standard..the best is Japan...but expensive...

also agree on the second statement...dont just look into car price, toll rate and fuel price...there's a lot more to consider...and promising EVERYTHING to be better is not a good rational..

considering before i have my own transport, i use public transport occasionally...city bus, express bus, komuter..no problem...
even sometimes now, i use LRT and PUTRA..very convenience..

but, most of the time, who want to use public transport? rakyat said not cool...miskin.. lol

 

[ixeo]

Well choosing a government is not just by looking at the automotive policies, there are many other important thing or even more so to consider than just cars.

Again, this is used as an example because this is a car forum and not a politics forum :)

I agree there are many other important things, but cars are major, considering we have 2 national automotive makers, the number of factories and assembly lines in Malaysia (e.g. Tan Chong, Naza), the amount of $ it brings for the government. It is a source of income for both the government (in the form of taxes) and rakyat (jobs).

A good policy can turn us from making shit cars, to exporting cars as an industry. Using Thailand as an example, they have no national car, but they export way more cars that Proton & Perodua export cars. If Thailand can do it, why can't Malaysia?

It is so obvious...yet people can't see.. and we haven't talked about other important things such as education...

 

[Izso]

True public transport here is not yet up to the level of those countries you mentioned BUT it's actually quite decent and getting better I think. Why I said so? Cuz I was using it for more than 3 yrs non-stop every day along with my wife and small kids (one of them were still a baby at the time!) before I decided to buy cars here! Went to work, to school, shopping, eating, sight seeing, hospital, etc2. all using public transports (RapidKL, Metro bus, LRT, & Monorail) from the first day I came here in late 2007 to early 2011! Even my folks from back home when they came here the first time, we use public transport to go everywhere. If it was so bad, I would not be able to last using public transport that long, would I? I know every citizen always naturally demands more and more of their government, but sometimes you also have to be a bit objective and somewhat appreciate (to a certain degree) for what you already have. I know it's difficult for people on the inside to feel that way and only those from the outside who had experienced a lot worse can appreciate more. :)

I'm sorry but I have to disagree here. I took public transport for a while too (about 3 years) before I got so fed-up with the irregular schedules, frequent breakdowns and the insensitivity of the general public in LRTs. From Cheras to go to KLCC takes on average 1.5 hours to reach. That's just too bloody long! 1.5hours is assuming everything is on time and doesn't break down. In the 3 years I took public transport I've experienced about 5 bus breakdowns, 2 LRT strandings, 1 complete LRT failure and countless number of inconsiderate idiotic people who don't give up their seats to older folks/pregnant women and the worst of all - the imbeciles who stand in front of the LRT door and refuse to move back when you're want to get in and there's enough space at the back to fit a small sized truck.

Oh and I've been pick pocketed 3 times, harassed by conmen asking for bus money, harassed by scratch and win screaming psychotic conmen and countless number of beggers.

Sure the total number of days I experienced problems is probably less than 10% of my entire experience but each problem faced is time wasted and wasting time is not something my boss is fond of. Being late is not funny since I have to replace the hours lost. Waking up freaking early just to catch an inconsistent bus is no fun.

So yes - to me a car is an absolute necessity! Now that I've moved, the area I stay in has one bus coming in and out of the area every 2 hours (give or take) and that cruddy bus station is a 10 minute drive away by car. With crime rates going up as they are now we are no longer safe regardless of what that stupid OCPD or whatever fella said, KL is not safe. I'd rather have my 4mil security tint between me and the criminal than nothing at all.

As for Ixeo's point - since hybrids are CBU, did you factor in the cost of shipping? And for my own info, do you need a AP to import a hybrid?

 

[ixeo]

As for Ixeo's point - since hybrids are CBU, did you factor in the cost of shipping? And for my own info, do you need a AP to import a hybrid?

AP is required for all imported cars except local makes.
Cost of shipping? CR-Z is made in Japan and shipped to USA and Malaysia, if anything it should be more expensive in USA right? :)

Last I checked, shipping parcels and air tickets is cheaper between Malaysia & Japan, compared to Japan and USA. I haven't check if they offer luxury cruise between these 3 locations.

 

[6UE5t]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree here. I took public transport for a while too (about 3 years) before I got so fed-up with the irregular schedules, frequent breakdowns and the insensitivity of the general public in LRTs. From Cheras to go to KLCC takes on average 1.5 hours to reach. That's just too bloody long! 1.5hours is assuming everything is on time and doesn't break down. In the 3 years I took public transport I've experienced about 5 bus breakdowns, 2 LRT strandings, 1 complete LRT failure and countless number of inconsiderate idiotic people who don't give up their seats to older folks/pregnant women and the worst of all - the imbeciles who stand in front of the LRT door and refuse to move back when you're want to get in and there's enough space at the back to fit a small sized truck.

Oh and I've been pick pocketed 3 times, harassed by conmen asking for bus money, harassed by scratch and win screaming psychotic conmen and countless number of beggers.

Sure the total number of days I experienced problems is probably less than 10% of my entire experience but each problem faced is time wasted and wasting time is not something my boss is fond of. Being late is not funny since I have to replace the hours lost. Waking up freaking early just to catch an inconsistent bus is no fun.

So yes - to me a car is an absolute necessity! Now that I've moved, the area I stay in has one bus coming in and out of the area every 2 hours (give or take) and that cruddy bus station is a 10 minute drive away by car. With crime rates going up as they are now we are no longer safe regardless of what that stupid OCPD or whatever fella said, KL is not safe. I'd rather have my 4mil security tint between me and the criminal than nothing at all.

As for Ixeo's point - since hybrids are CBU, did you factor in the cost of shipping? And for my own info, do you need a AP to import a hybrid?

Hahaha true, I also experienced some inconveniences though maybe not as bad as yours, the worst was when my wive got pick pocketed once, but all-in-all I can still live with it, maybe because I've grown more patience and tolerance from experiencing even worse. :) Of course many areas still need to be improved like you said, especially the coverage.