About Oilfield Employees

I just want to write this down, since recently I have received hundreds of emails from other Malaysians who complained about the compensation given to oilfield employees. This of course triggered by the increase of oil price in Malaysia. And sadly, what they only see is Petronas. And worst, they are now punishing Petronas employees for receiving those benefits...Mmmm.. And more, they compare Malaysia's production with big oil producer like Saudi, Venezuela, Libya, etc.

There are many things that I want to comment from these emails. I was thinking about these things during my flight back to KL (from Labuan). I am also one of oilfield employees, but not working for Petronas. So, luckily, nobody 'punishes' me :)

First I would like to comment about the comparison made regarding the oil price in here and in the mentioned countries. NONE of the countries is developing country. I agree that the oil price is so low. But please think that they are big producers. Saudi is producing 1/4 of world's oil. Venezuela if I am not mistaken is the 4th producers (but recently the production decreased due some political issue/country's policy). One well in Saudi can produce similar as one field in Malaysia is producing. The cost of development is of course low since the location is onshore. Ours are located offshore. Bayangkan lah kalau nak korek tanah dekat belakang rumah kan senang. Tapi kalau disuruh korek tanah dekat dalam sungai, takkan bole nak pakai cangkul je kan?

And other Malaysians who never been to these countries don't know that oil price is the only cheap things that you can buy there. But the groceries are expensive. Even a bottle of mineral water is much expensive than the oil price.

I was working in Venezuela for about 6 months (tak lah lama sangat). I don't buy stuff there because they are expensive. From food, to shampoos, to any households, etc. What is the point of having lowest oil price in the world if all necessary goods are expensive? Do you want to drink a bottle of oil instead of a bottle of mineral water? And even recently they have a problem in which no milk supply is available.

And other countries that I see on someone's list to compare the oil price are not developed countries. Why don't they compare with europe, australia, usa, etc? My Australian friend told me that in Australia, each gas/oil station has their own price. And the price changes according to the world price. What don't we compare our country with these countries?

Why in this case, we want to look back and compare with negara yang tak maju? Do we want to live in 60s or 70s? Nobody wants right? Malaysian will keep complaining - "Isk, jalan berlubang-lubang. Tak reti nak buat jalan elok sikit ke?" atau "Ala, takkan meeting dalam bilik cabuk macam ni. Pegi la kat hotel 5 stars ke", etc. From development point of view, we always say that "Kenapa la Malaysia ni tak macam Paris, bersih je. Ini sampah merata." Pandai pulak cakap macam tu ye? This shows that we desperately want development, which is good.

But to become a developed country, Malaysians need to have the right attitude towards it. No success will come easily. What I am trying to say is that, for example Encik M la kan:

"Negara kita ni kena mementingkan kebajikan rakyat. Mana bole harga minyak naik, pastu semua nya naik. Nak makan batu ka?," Encik M was talking to his friend while drinking teh tarik at Mamak stall at 10 am in the morning...Tengah mengular ni..And at 10.30 am he is still there without realizing that his boss was looking for him like crazy in the office. Encik M wants the government gives everything to him, without need to work to get it. Mana bole. Get real la. Go back to the rule of thumb - The strongest person will always win and the weakest person will always loose. Will we become strong by doing nothing? Will we get gains without even trying anything? Will we get high rewards without working for it? NEVER! High Pain, High Gain! High Risk High Gain!

So Encik M, please, if you don't have enough money, that is your problem. Not the government. Think of what you need to do? What is your mitigation plan? What did you or do you do wrong that makes you earn very few, or actually earn a lot but spend too much?

We just need to ask ourselves, how do I survive in this situation. Do I need more money, or do I need to save more money. When should I take actions? How? Where? Etc..Etc.. Look at yourself first and try to improve your 'system' first before looking at others. Like pepatah Melayu 'Jaga tepi kain sendiri dulu sebelum jaga tepi kain orang'. Obviously that ourselves are the only person that we can manage. And maybe our family...It will be very very difficult to change others, or to change the system. Just start from ourselves!

OK..That's it for now la..Point no 2 will be continued later on :)