Johor assemblyman urges government to stand ground on CIQ toll hike

A Johor state assemblyman has urged the government not to entertain calls from certain quarters to review its decision to hike the toll rates at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex here.

Kempas assemblyman Datuk Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Jumat of the Barisan Nasional said it was essential for the government to stand by its decision or it would be held to ransom on every policy.

"We may think that a review after a decision is made of a government policy reflects on our willingness to listen to the people but on the contrary it will exhibit our weakness and inability to thoroughly weigh the viability of a prospect while exhausting all possible measures before arriving at a decision.

"Even sadder if the review results in benefiting foreigners piggy-backing on our citizens servicing their nation," he told Bernama via email today.

The outspoken first-term assemblyman said this in response to calls, particularly by the DAP and other opposition parties, for the government to postpone and review its decision on the CIQ complex toll hike.

"Now is not the time to flip-flop and become fickle as those traits are the signature of the government of the past.

"This is the time to show strong and responsible leadership sending a signal to our neighbours that we no longer offer 'lunches for free'," he said.

The Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) on July 26 announced that the toll rates at the CIQ complex would increase for Class 1 to Class 5 vehicles, effective Aug 1.

According to MHA, the new toll rates for vehicles coming into Malaysia are RM9.70; RM14.70; RM19.70, RM4.80 and RM7.80 for the range of classes, while the toll rates for outbound vehicles are RM6.80; RM10.20; RM13.60; RM3.40 and RM5.50.

It also explained that users of the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) would not have to pay toll while the expressway would be toll-free for the residents of Johor Baharu.

Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid said most of the Malaysians working in Singapore travel on motorcycle and would not be affected by the toll hike while those who drive to the republic could surely afford to pay the toll.

As for buses, he said that since each could carry about 40 passengers, the toll would amount to less than 40 sen per person, and could be borne by the workers' company or factory.

Meanwhile, taxis plying the route between the two neighbouring countries could transfer the charges to their passengers, he said.

He also said that Malaysians could alternatively use the Second Link at Gelang Patah if they wished to avoid the toll hike.

"Finally, the toll only applies to the vehicles going to and coming from Singapore. It is free for the rest of the motorists in Johor," he said.