New LRT plan: Do-or-die
Sunday, June 15th, 2008 | 2:14 pm @ SK
As burgeoning middle class in Malaysia continue to be beleaguered by ballooning bills who incessantly spilling their hatred towards the Government due to the recent price hike, it’s a commendable effort by them to announce the long due rail transit line expansion.
It’s reported that the new line and extensions should be ready by 2012, where the work is expected to start by the end of the year, covering area from Kota Damansara to Cheras.
I hope this time it’s a promise combined with real action too. Too much of rhetorical statements ever since the last announcement by DPM Najib Tun Razak in October 2006 as a measure taken by the Government to alleviate the pressure of higher living cost and yet, as usual, talk remains talk, nothing business.
It’s only when a comprehensive public transportation system is in place to serve as a feasible alternative, any slight increase of petrol price is not going to spare the Government from the public criticism.
Nevertheless, to the public who have no option but to rely on their personal vehicles, the plan comes as a timely boost from the Government to appease the people.
To the people, it’s a joy thing. To the Government, there is no take two, either do-or-die.
June 15th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
The government failed to understand the importance of the changing demographics in Malaysia. Over the years the middle class has grown significantly larger and they have needs to be met. If we have an efficient transport system, we would not have had to suffer such an impactful side-effect of the petrol price increase. The again, the motor ownership policy was emphasized to spearhead our industrialisation and progress into a developed country status.
The fact remains that there was no consistency and continuity between the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir and Pak Lah. Pak Lah’s hopeless 4th Floor boys failed miserably to note the credibility gap created suddenly by the increase in the price of petrol. As a result, the whole government machinery went into an overdrive mode to react to the negative reception. Incentives were announced where they were not originally planned. Flip-flop decisions were made so obvious that one minister said that the price could be increased again in August (when it was originally meant to increase only in August). Then it was said that the price would be reviewed every month. Now Pak Lah says there would be no more price increase this year.
Can w draw any comfort from this flip-flop scenario? How many rakyat truly believe that Pak Lah will hold to his word not to increase fuel price again this year? Can any right-thinking citizen believe that this is the best long term decision for Malaysia? Questions, questions, questions…. We don’t have answers that we can believe in. The government’s credibility is gone. Pocek!!!
The new LRT is one small hope to set things right. Let’s hope things work out.
But the price increase in fuel affects every fabric of our society, not just transport. Is the government doing anything credible in tackling the other problems? The price of rice has gone up so much that even our staple food may soon be a luxury. The price of beehoon has doubled. Even items seemingly unrelated to petrol have shot up in price.
The government’s call to retailers and transporters not to increase their prices sound more hollow than an empty drum. A primary school kid can make the same call without asking for a minister’s salary and allowances. The ministers should be seen and perceived doing more credible things than just all sound and fury. Or have our ministers who have always trumpeted the stupidity of the opposition members and the public suddenly found themselves at a dead end?
We are all still waiting. Waiting for a comprehensive and integrated strategy from the government to address the problems affecting every one of the rakyat. After all, that’s what the government is supposed to do, to serve us and the nation. There is no more critical time than now. The crisis needs a remedy of confidence. We can’t see any yet and I don’t believe confidence is as easily instilled in some cheap stop-gap measures as we see now.
LRT? It’s better than none. But don’t bet on it to gain any goodwill from the rakyat just yet. There is a host of other equally pressing issues that need as much attention.
Over to you, Pak Lak.
*And don’t forget to consult KJ.*