Free-How sweet it sounds?

By Bob Yong
19th May 2008

First, the cheap air fares offered by AirAsia. Then zero air fares by MAS, counter offered by AirAsia promoting sub-zero air fares. Look as if Malaysians are in for a great time in free traveling, both domestically and internationally. Not only the commercial airlines are competing for business, but it appears that the political parties in our country are trying hard to oust each other, by offering free things.

What about free medical care for the poor and the senior citizens? How about the Inland Revenue Department takes the initiative to refund all the over-paid moneys due to taxpayers without having those to ask for it? There are many more things the government can do to ease the burden of the daily life of its citizens. If the entrepreneurs can compete for business, how about the government departments compete for providing better services to the general public?

The terminologies used by the airlines in promoting their business are misnomer. The air fares may be free but the bottom line is travelers still need to fork out money to pay for the fuel surcharge, insurance levy, airport tax and other applicable charges. Similarly, not all things, purportedly free, offered by the government are really free. The country’s revenue is derived from the many form of taxes collected from individuals and corporate bodies. So, any things said to be free by the government are actually financed by tax-payers’ money.

Talking about having it free, there are something worth fighting for are freedom of speech and expression and freedom of worship.

Can free be made sweeter?