In my interview with The New Paper awhile ago on the causeway hikes issue, I highlighted the following: 1. That I am astounded both relevant government agencies did not talk to each other when implementing the increases. Knowing full well that one would react or respond in equal terms or more. Such moves only show how the government talk about promoting people-to-people relationship but doing the opposite. We are talking about Singapore-JB here where no other 2 states are so interlinked politically and socially. 2. That the increase will not materially reduce the jam because people still need to travel out of necessity. People are not going to quit jobs or stop sending kids to school because of increase in levies and tolls. It will only mean more inconvenience created, financially taxing and long term unhappiness. 3. That probably only 5% of the motorists will stop driving in and out. They will then add on to the already long peak hour queues at the bus exchanges. Those who cant afford cars will now bear the poor side of the policy as they will now have to compete with motorists-turn-bus passengers. The number of buses are not going to increase. To the contrary, the waiting time will. 4. That the Malaysian government in wanting to exercise fair play in increasing the tolls and levies will hurt Malaysians more than Singaporeans. 5. That over time, people will get use to the increase costs of travel. The complains will be short-lived and jams resume. In the process, people will get poorer, governments get richer, and the problems stay to no end. 6. None of this would have happened if Singapore didnt make the first move. The escalating costs do not mean bigger causeway, more lanes, better traffic coordination and more manpower on customs and immigration checks. it simply means more revenue. 7. People cross the causeway principally for economic reasons. Johoreans wont want to come to Singapore if they can have equal paying jobs at home and Singaporeans wont want to visit or stay in JB if everything is affordable back home. These policies are made by the very people who do not cross the causeway and are therefore out of touch with the ground. Both governments run the risk of losing sight on their role - to serve the people and not to cause additional suffering to those who are already spending unnecessary long hours trying to make life better.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 09:53:10 +0000
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