Thursday, December 14, 2006
The nightmare begins
The nightmare begins. Aptly said by Dr Jacob George, the president of the Consumer Association of Subang and Shah Alam, in reference to the government's outrageous raising of toll rates across all key arterial highways in the Klang Valley. The new stupendous rates will further burden lower and middle income Malaysians, already reeling from higher petrol price and the cost of living. How can the government continue to sing the same old tune that industries should not raise prices and pass the cost down to the ordinary folks? Perhaps the government feels that its silly attempt to muzzle the mainstream media about this toll hike will be effective in downplaying the angry sentiments that will inevitably begin come tomorrow when the hikes are dutifully placed in the middle pages in small two inch columns. This government better think again if they are confident of subduing the public. Inflation will go up, higher than the sterile, safe numbers that Bank Negara is so fond of parroting.
It is astounding that the government gave the greenlight for this action, especially as many assume, next year will be an election year. The Prime Minister is increasingly seen to lose credibility in light of his failure to fulfil any of his electoral promises of 2004. This toll hike may be the straw that breaks the camels back or in Malaysia, the rakyat's back. The arrogance of the Works Minister, the irascible Samy Vellu is a mirror into the attitude of the government towards the people who put them in power in the first place. If Malaysians want the expressways, they better well pay for it, says this caring Minister. Easily said, when virtually all entry into the city has been boarded up with toll booths. Malaysians have no choice but to use these roads to get to work and put three meals on the table for their children.
Secret concessionaire agreements, which inevitably ensures that UMNO-controlled companies keep the lion's share of the public's hard earned money, go against the Prime Minister's limp call for openness and transparency. Indeed, this administration is fast going against all the rosy words it shamelessly uttered in 2004. It's a fair bet that the next elections will see more Malays rise in anger against this administration, as they will be see their standard of living further dented by this latest, ill-timed toll rate hike. Indeed, it's a bigger hole in all our pockets, and Malaysians of all races are certain to grow even more cynical of this government. ¶ 10:19 PM
It is astounding that the government gave the greenlight for this action, especially as many assume, next year will be an election year. The Prime Minister is increasingly seen to lose credibility in light of his failure to fulfil any of his electoral promises of 2004. This toll hike may be the straw that breaks the camels back or in Malaysia, the rakyat's back. The arrogance of the Works Minister, the irascible Samy Vellu is a mirror into the attitude of the government towards the people who put them in power in the first place. If Malaysians want the expressways, they better well pay for it, says this caring Minister. Easily said, when virtually all entry into the city has been boarded up with toll booths. Malaysians have no choice but to use these roads to get to work and put three meals on the table for their children.
Secret concessionaire agreements, which inevitably ensures that UMNO-controlled companies keep the lion's share of the public's hard earned money, go against the Prime Minister's limp call for openness and transparency. Indeed, this administration is fast going against all the rosy words it shamelessly uttered in 2004. It's a fair bet that the next elections will see more Malays rise in anger against this administration, as they will be see their standard of living further dented by this latest, ill-timed toll rate hike. Indeed, it's a bigger hole in all our pockets, and Malaysians of all races are certain to grow even more cynical of this government. ¶ 10:19 PM
