14 August 2018

Press statement by Wanita MCA Vice-chairman cum Senator Datuk Ong Chong Swen


Why need RM400bil to abolish tolls & not RM25bil as claimed?



I doubt the claim of Works Minister Baru Bian who appears to exaggerate the cost of abolishing tolls, from RM25 billion to RM400 billion. It is more like an overstated amount.


I urge Baru Bian to check with DAP comrade cum special officer to Finance Ministry, Tony Pua, so as to implement the Pakatan’s promise of abolishing tolls as soon as possible. 

In fact Tony Pua had in 2009 claimed that a study done by DAP found that the acquisition of toll concessionaires would require RM25 billion. He even urged the then Barisan government to acquire the concessionaires to benefit the road users. The cost of acquiring toll concessionaires should not balloon from RM25 billion to RM400 billion after 9 years!

Works Minister Baru Bian must explain to the people the calculation method of coming up to RM400 billion. Does it include the hidden cost of compensating toll concessionaires’ loss of revenue? Or is it an overlook of decimal points, and the real figures should be RM40 billion?

If the RM400 billion is not an excuse for Pakatan to break its promise, then Baru Bian should ask Tony Pua how he calculated RM25 billion at that time? As special officer to Finance Ministry, Tony Pua has professional economic background, and will certainly help the government to reduce the cost of abolishing tolls to RM25 billion or a reasonable price. So that Pakatan Harapan can realise its promise of abolishing tolls within 100 days in office.

 

Senator Datuk Ong Chong Swen
Wanita MCA Vice-Chairman

 

-MCA online-