Nation’s columnist concerned about inflation and public backlash from recent fuel hikes: Commodity prices will undoubtedly rise in response to the hike in fuel prices and the government is not being too mindful of public discontent, says AMAY's Abbas El Tarabily and Al Shorouk's Emad El Din Hussein. Assem Abu Hatab took to the pages of Al Shorouk to accuse the government of lacking clear vision and a plan, claiming that Petroleum Minister Tarek El Molla had denied news of fuel hikes only a night before the decision came. Less angry was AMAY’s Mohamed Ali Ibrahim, who said the state must use whatever funds its saves on fuel subsidies to provide citizens with much needed services and rights, such as universal healthcare. A little late to the game, he also advised the government to pair its tough decisions with positive reforms that can assuage public anger, perhaps not remembering the social welfare benefits enacted before the Eid break.

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