SPAD should explain fare hikes - Kadir Jasin

Former New Straits Times group editor-in-chief Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said instead of blaming transport operators on the recently announced fare hike, one should question the body that authorised it.

He said public transport fares falls within its jurisdiction of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

“I think the fare hikes will sabotage the welfare of the rakyat more than the popularity of the government,” he wrote on his blog.

UMNO executive council member Ibdillah Ishak had twitted that the 20-per cent public transport fare hikes could be a form of sabotage against the government.

Sebagai salah sebuah syarikat GLC, KTMB tak patut bebankan rakyat dengan kenaikan kadar yg drastik. Dah lupa tanggungjawab utk bantu rakyat?
— Ibdilillah Ishak (@ibdil) March 19, 2015

Kerajaan harus ambil serius kenaikan kadar harga teksi, bas & KTM hari ini. Unsur sabotaj trhdp K'jaan sblm GST dilaksanakan? @NajibRazak
— Ibdilillah Ishak (@ibdil) March 19, 2015

“Well, he can blame the KTM, but it is better for him to address the issue of who authorised the fare hikes.

Kadir said the fare hike was decided by SPAD whose chairman is Tan Sri Syed Abdul Hamid Albar while its chief executive officer is Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal. He said other commissioners are Datuk Siow Kim Lun, Prof. Dr Ahmad Farhan Sadullah, Datuk Himmat Singh Ralla Singh, Datuk Wan Ahmad Shihab Ismail, Datuk Izudin Ishaak and Datuk Dr Ismail Bakar.

“Ibdillah should ask these SPAD men who are more important to them – the land transport operators or the public?,” he wrote.

“Is it necessary for SPAD to approve the new fares now and at that quantum when the people are about to be encumbered by the GST next month? Surely these men have the interest of the rakyat and the Prime Minister in mind. Or are they?,” he asked.

He said accusing the KTM of sabotaging the government is as good as accusing the men in SPAD of acting against the interest of the Prime Minister.

“Then again, can we blame them for not postponing the fare hikes when the government itself is not postponing the implementation of the GST, which is likely to have a much wider effect on the rakyat than the fare hikes?,” he wrote.

“To me, all this sums up the lack of coordination in the government and the general disregard for the voices of the ordinary people,” he wrote.

Yesterday, SPAD had announced a new rate for taxi services and express buses.

The new rate for the taxi services will take into effect immediately while for express buses will begin on May 15.

Its chairman, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said that the new rate was decided following the increase in costs such as maintenance, insurance and cost of living.