DPM denies no toll increase due to Kajang by-election

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has refuted claims by the opposition that the decision by the government to not increase the toll rates this year is because of the Kajang state by-election, to be held on March 23.

"This is not about voters in Kajang alone, but nationwide. I heard they said that it was Pakatan Rakyat's first success when I announced that there would be no increase in toll rates.

"Everything is exploited, but the people understand. This not about the by-election. Even if there is no by-election we would have made that decision,' he told a media conference after a meeting with distributors and suppliers of goods to discuss issues on the rising cost of living here Friday.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had claimed that the government's decision in not raising the toll rates was a tactic by an opportunist and an effort to win the heart of voters for the Kajang by-election.

Muhyiddin, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy president, said all decisions made by the government, including in the planning and implementation, took into account the people's interests.

He said the opposition parties were always confusing the people by making baseless accusations to achieve their political interests.

Measures taken by the government, like setting up of the Special Committee to address the rising cost of living, was not politically motivated, but to ease the people's burden.

"I think there is no country in the world when people are faced with problems, the government forms a committee. This is because we care about the people," he added.

The people, he said, should not be deceived by the various allegations made by the opposition against the government as they were made merely for the purpose of winning in the Kajang by-election.