PETALING JAYA: Anger is simmering among Malaysians one day before the toll rates go up on several highways.
“Come on Putrajaya take pity on wage (earners) like us,” commented Facebook user Siew Hoong Wong, adding “Do we have a choice not use all these toll highways? GST is already a killer.”
On the whole, the online opinion of many Malaysians regarding the new toll rates have been largely negative, especially from daily users of the highways. The toll rate increases could have a significant impact on commuters’ wallets.
Facebook user Sharon Kuan said the “MRT is not even completed yet, this already increased. Don’t even have options for people”.
Alongside comments expressing displeasure, some Malaysians are also pointing out how the expected higher costs of travelling may change Malaysian modes of commuting and habits.
“Motorcycle traders will be laughing to the banks now,” commented Mohd Shahrul Nizam on Facebook, “I foresee an increase in the usage of two wheelers for commuting.” Motorcyclists are exempted from paying toll.
"The Rakyat is completely at the mercy of the endless toll hikes , GST implementation , increase in food price , petrol hikes ::: You want to squeeze us to death?" says David Wong.
From Ganesan Muthu: "Thursday onwards i suggest use 5sen coins to pay toll, and ensure the queue at tollgates build like "3310 snake."
M Fadzli Ahmad said "I am not planning but unavoidably just calculating. Mex/besraya. I am gonna be poorer by rm300 pm from more toll n recent petrol hike."
Another Facebook user Larry Lin said he would be going to back to his kampung and for local holiday trips less often.
Malaysians were also vexed that the toll increases contradicted the promise made by the government before the 2013 general election that intra-city toll rates would be gradually decreased.
Toll rates along several major highways will go up between 20 sen and RM4.70 from Thursday.
The highways affected are the Kajang Traffic Dispersal Ring Road (SILK), Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), Maju Expressway (MEX), Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway (KLK), KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway (Latar), SMART tunnel, New Pantai Expressway (NPE), Besraya Highway, Lebuhraya Kajang Seremban (Lekas), Guthrie Corridor Expressway (Guthrie), Kemuning Shah Alam Expressway (LKSA), South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Senai-Desaru Expressway, Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR), Cheras-Kajang Highway (Grand Saga), Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP), Sprint, Ampang Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh) and two other insterstate highways.
