USE TOLL FREE ROADS

It was reported in a
local T.V , news at 8 pm on 19th April,2009, that it would cost the
Federal Government, RM 5 billions to buy over the North/South Highway,
concessionaire Agreement, in order to solve the issue of toll
increase, to benefit the people and the government.
I presume this does
not include the cost of daily repairs, road resurfacing , repairs to
bridges, and land slide areas. Maintaining hillsides which are prone
to landslides, rest areas, drainage, lighting, grass cutting,painting
of road signs, security etc. All these and the payment of salaries to
staff and workers would amount to a billion more or less per year..
Dato Salleh
Majid,who was interviewed by the TV, said that the Rm 5 billions,
could be better spent on the development projects which would be more
beneficial to all Malaysians. He added that with the exception of the
people from the business community, and transport operators, not all
Malaysians travel on the highways daily.He suggested that a discount
be given to frequent travelers.
I feel that PLUS
should continue giving discounts to motorists who travel after 12
midnight, A 50% discount should be given to those who travel from
Kuala Lumpur to Penang or Alor Setar and vise versa and from Kuala
Lumpur to Johore Baru and vice versa.
Motorists who want
to travel toll free should make use of the old Federal Roads which are
now wider and well maintained. In order to ease the traffic flow the
Government should where possible increase the two lane roads into
four lane roads If these roads are wider better and well maintained
then people would be encouraged , to travel on the old roads rather
than pay tolls through their noses to travel on the highways.

PLUS on the other
hand should not only be thinking of increasing toll rates for their
revenues,which could burden the people. I observed that there are a
lot of road reserved lands on both sides of the highway stretching
from Johore Baru to Bukit Kayu Hitam. These could be better used to
plant rows of tamarind trees or "asam Jawa". trees as they did along
the highways in some part of India and Thailand.We are now importing
millions of ringgit worth of asam jawa from these countries.Teak trees
or mango trees could also be planted.As it is we are importing tons
of of the lemak manis manggo from Thailand which are being sold at Rm4
a kilo.



NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA