LETTER | My regular Saturday lunch is home-cooked fried or wantan noodles. My wife would buy the noodles and taugeh (bean sprouts) from her regular noodle seller at our local wet market.

Last Saturday morning, she had a distressing moment. Taugeh is RM1 per pack, up 100 percent from 50 sen, the noodle seller warned.

The massive increase, although not heart-stopping, caused her senses to desert her for a few nanoseconds. She eventually blinked, processed the warning, analysed the situation, checked her purse, racked her brains for alternatives, came up with none, bit the bullet and bought one packet of bean sprouts, now RM1 instead of the usual 50 sen she had been paying for ages.

She decided our Saturday indulgence of home-cooked fried or wantan noodles with taugeh still beats eating out, especially since we are pensioners and prices of food and daily goods have not come down even when our ringgit strengthened a lot before the Iran war.

The missus is the finance minister at home, and when she returned, she warned of cutbacks and reduced treats. Her reasoning was that if this simple, widely grown, easily transported and minimally packaged vegetable increased by 100 percent, other foods and vegetables will most likely increase too, and soon.

Another finance minister warned of the same bad news. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, of course, has more than taugeh prices to worry about and his treats likely do not involve this common sprout. His concerns are many, but they are likely more exotic and expensive, especially with issues surrounding oil prices.

Anwar mentioned that oil prices are rising because of the Iran war and restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in higher prices for daily items and food. Diesel, the default fuel for transportation of goods, is particularly affected.

In the dark with the taugeh

I did a check on how bean sprouts could be affected by diesel. Taugeh are grown from mung beans soaked in water and kept in the dark for three days. All they need is a constant change of water, and our water remains among the cheapest in the world.

Sure, many mung beans are imported and prices have gone up, but I do not think it is on a scale that justifies a doubling of bean sprout prices. I am now, like the taugeh, in the dark about how the price doubled.

The government, especially the finance minister, instead of merely warning us of inevitable price increases, must take control not only of my sprouts but of other daily food items too.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke did warn Malaysians earlier and said it is no joke. The country is in crisis mode, and immediate drastic action must be taken before food prices sprout even higher.

Revise fuel consumption

I offer below some suggestions to bring down the price of taugeh and hopefully other vegetables and food items, as I do indulge in other inexpensive treats besides fried and wantan noodles.

The price of RON95 must be revised back to RM2.05 per litre. The additional revenue collected can then be used to further subsidise diesel for transporting food and daily items.

Work from home for at least two days must be made mandatory for government servants where appropriate. For the private sector, the government must actively encourage at least one day of work from home.

Air conditioning, where appropriate, must be set at 25°C or higher in all government and private buildings.

Congestion charges in cities must no longer be postponed until conditions are perfect. Now is the near-perfect time, as there is a vital need to reduce fuel consumption, which will also help reduce frequent heat waves in cities and towns.

Provide free public transport to all Malaysians under 24 to get them hooked on it instead of being burdened by vehicle loans early in their working lives. Between 10am and 3pm, let all citizens enjoy a 20 percent discount on public transport.

All schools, universities, hospitals, clinics, army and police camps, prisons, government warehouses and offices must have at least 40 percent of roof areas fitted with solar panels.

Greener alternatives

I am an ardent environmentalist by choice and action, but in a time when many people may have to pay more and eat less due to rising fertiliser costs, I suggest strictly controlled and monitored extraction of bats’ guano from caves.

This natural fertiliser should be used until artificial fertiliser costs stabilise, without causing irreversible environmental damage.

It is time to impose a minimum charge of 50 sen or a total ban on plastic bags nationwide. Plastics are petroleum products, and reducing their use will help lower costs. The country has delayed this for too long.

Those in power must lead by sacrifice and example. Multiple pensions for elected representatives should be reduced to one. MPs’ allowances must be cut, overseas travel limited, and accommodation downgraded.

And ditch warm suits in Parliament and state assemblies while raising air-conditioning temperatures. Batik is cool, presentable and supports local industry.

Becoming bean counters

We hope no one in power will advise people to eat kangkung (water spinach) while enjoying quinoa, unlike in the past. With rising fertiliser and transport costs, even kangkung may no longer be the go-to vegetable.

The world’s problems continue to sprout, affecting us financially, environmentally and emotionally. Financially, many of us have become bean counters, stretching every sen to live comfortably and eat decently.

Environmentally, if we adopt such measures, future generations may have a cleaner planet. When finances and the environment are stable, our emotional well-being will follow.

Our government must not be like taugeh, sprouting in the dark. It must look towards the light of solutions so that citizens can enjoy simple treats without anxiety.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.