This is part taken for channelnewsasia website.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan has said the government cannot reduce petrol taxes despite the soaring oil prices.

He warned against taking the subsidy route, noting that even countries like China and Malaysia have started to re-think their policies on this.

Mr Mah was speaking on the sidelines of a community event on Saturday.

then he goes on..... So instead of lowering taxes, Mr Mah said Singapore's strategy is to change habits and attitudes to cut down on energy consumption.

"If you are a motorist, how do you cut down (energy consumption)? Reduce the number of trips, if possible. Car pool, if possible. Better still, take public transport," he said.

i agree....with the above...

i eat rice leh...so how..... price of rice went up..... cut down food consumption? i am already on one meal a day...so am i suppose to take half a meal from now on?

a lot of essential things went up mr minister.... its real. many are already buying house brand...what is next?

we really have nothing left to cut back on already...er...maybe short of cutting our own wrist and die.

get real. you can don't subsidise... but i think you can also stop increasing everything else...like transport.... food.... erp.... housing/rental....services.... education..... GST.... oh and salaries.... and let the people breathe.

I am not sure if our country is in such dire condition that we cannot even spare a moment for the people to breathe and let us enjoy a little of our lives.

useless ranting..... but the power of vote.

another useless thought.