Of real monopoly and perceived monopoly

MONOPOLY has two perspectives - real monopoly and monopoly perception.

A real monopoly is an entity that only controls a product or service which leads to the concern that it will determine the price that consumers must pay.

The monopoly perception is that there are several players in the business but only one stands out either because it is efficient or is targeted by certain parties.

Last March, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia reportedly said the government was reviewing all the monopolies in the system to ensure that the public enjoy fair and better services.

All ministries had been asked to study the rationale behind allowing monopolies so that there was a fair assessment of the issue, he said, when commenting on whether the government was looking to dismantle more monopolies following the decision to end Puspakom Sdn Bhd's monopoly on vehicle inspections.

Some parties reminded that Puspakom is one of the companies owned by tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, who is seen as close to Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.