PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARE INCREASE – JUSTIFIED OR OTHERWISE?

Why is it that it has to be the ‘bigger crook’ Nazri Aziz to make the announcement on the increase in the public transport fare now, at a time when the economy is not doing well, and his public image over his description of Tun Dr. Mahathir, Tun Hanif Omar and Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman, as crooks is hotly being debated? Is it not the Transport Minister or the Domestic Affairs Minister to be making such an announcement? And there goes the ‘Rakyat di dahulukan’ slogan, or is it ‘Rakyat di kemudiankan’.

Who would really want to listen to such a statement from this uncouth minister who is only good as a cheer leader. At least, cheer leaders looks pleasing with their multicoloured dresses and dancing to the rhythm of some raunchy music. This bigger crook has none to please anyone.

I listened to the news last night, and there were clearly parties that are happy, and others that are not to pleased with the public transport fare increase. The increase is quite high. Even OKU’s and senior citizens like me is not spared. They now have to pay more i.e. 75% of the total fare as oppose to only 50% now. What is rational for increasing the fares for OKU’s and senior citizens is mind blogging. Are such groups categorized as productive wage earners having the capacity to earn thousands every month?

A friend of mine who travels to work daily by bus from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur says that he will now have to cough out RM 15.60 for a return trip or RM 312.00 per month. I think, this is about the costliest bus fare in the region, and once again, in runs counter to the slogan ‘Rakyat di dahulukan’?

Owners of public transport companies are the most to benefit, and it is the larger section of the public that suffers. I am not against an increase, but the timing is certainly not right. I just wonder whether ministers will also suffer from this fare increase.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION