Mere idea of toll hike upsets Malaysians on social media

16 tolled highways nationwide will be affected by the planned hike, according to reports. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, June 13, 2015.

Putrajaya has yet to decide on a hike in toll rates, but social media users are already riled up over the mere idea.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday confirmed that a proposal to increase toll rates for major highways was discussed by the Cabinet, but slammed those who leaked the discussion as unethical.

Although there is no announcement on the hike, Malaysians voiced anger and frustration with the ruling party, incensed that the hike would come so soon after the goods and services tax (GST) in April.

On Twitter, @HezeriSamsuri said that the government should not even bother studying the impact of a toll hike as Malaysians would definitely get angry.

“Tok Jib nak kaji impak kalau tol naik. Tak payah kaji la. Mmg kami akan marah. Jawapan PR yg tak realistik langsung,” he said. (Najib wants to study the impact of toll hike. No need to study. We will get angry. This is a very unrealistic public relations answer.)

Another Twitter user @faizfaiz said that everyone should be mad at the fact that the government is even considering it.

Yesterday, pro-Umno daily Berita Harian, citing sources, said that toll rates for 16 major highways nationwide are expected to go up by as much as 30% in August.

Among the highways affected are the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway, the Damansara-Puchong Expressway, the New Pantai Expressway, and Kajang's Silk Highway.

The government last year postponed scheduled toll hikes amid concerns over rising living costs.

Putrajaya also paid nearly RM560 million to concessionaires last year as compensation to maintain toll charges.

Twitter user @drshikin said the final decision, whether toll was raised or not, would put everyone at loss except the toll operators.

“Hike toll rates, consumer pay. Don't hike toll rates, govt pay compensation to toll operators. Everybody loses. Except toll operators.”

Meanwhile, others said that higher toll rates mean “game over” for Najib and Barisan Nasional (BN), while some were cynical to congratulate the prime minister.

@Nafiey_Epitz said: “Kadar tol nak naik ? Good job najib ! Biar ramai rakyat akan terus menyukai anda . Orang x guna kete dia xtahu mcm mana sakit bayar tol." ( Toll hike? Good job Najib! Let more people continue to like you. Those who do not use car will not know how painful it is to pay for tolls,”

The Star Online reported yesterday thattoll rates were due for an increase in 2011, but the government instead increased compensation to concessionaires.

The last major toll hike took place more than 8 years ago, in 2007, when the government raised toll on the busy Damansara-Puchong Highway from RM1 to RM1.60.

- TMI