Raising tool charges to divert public attention?

Writer: Xiu De Xiang
Oriental Daily, Oct 15, 2014

The simultaneous announcement of increase of toll charges of 18 highways, from 20 percent to as high as 140 percent, has caused uproars. Coming so soon after GST and plunging ringgit, the hikes are bound to raise the cost of living and the ensuing row is expected to last for quite a while.

Compared with the possible impacts of the higher toll charges, this writer found the timing highly coincidental that concessionaries of the 18 highways have made a joint announcement to raise toll charges. If the announcement were made a day earlier, it would go alongside the shocking headlines of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir and six other veteran leaders asking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib to step down.

If the announced were moved further backwards, the focus would be on Bank Negara’s decision to revoke permissions for 1MDB’s overseas investments involving US$1.83 billion. After keeping quiet for a while, the decision can be seen as a counter move by Governor Tan Sri Zeti on the 1MDB scandal.

In the past half a year, Najib has come under tremendous pressure within the party due to the 1MDB and political donation issues. Even Barisan component parties and UMNO are facing internal pressure which led to a Cabinet reshuffle and subsequently, an internal leadership struggle. Najib still holds the power and may not be under siege, but his position is obviously at risk.

The issue of 1MDB and political donation would certainly impact the forthcoming election. And looking at our history, whenever the ruling power is at risk, those in power would try to divert public attention. The red shirts demonstration, with the tacit agreement of the ruling party, can be seen as the first round of initiatives by those with vested interest to divert public attention.

The approval of increase of toll charges would certainly affect public welfare and trigger a row for some times to come. This then could be the second round of initiatives to divert public attention.

American sociologist Maslow in his Hierarchy of Needs said that human beings must satisfy their basic needs before moving to other advanced needs. Thus, people would be more focused on coping with higher toll charges instead of the issue of 1MDB or the political donation. Thereby, the pressure on those involved would be eased and they would have more time to deal with the problems.

However, to divert public attention by raising toll charges can be self-defeating. This would become another case of Government renegading its promise. How would it face the voters will be something unavoidable. The issue of 1MDB and political donation may be dealt with by using strong-arm tactics in our country. However, it is a laughing stock among foreign media. No action has been taken against foreign media which have been relentlessly pursuing the matter. Maybe the authorities involved find it highly sensitive.

The two issues have affected our economy seriously. Even Bank Negara Governor Zeti has stated that the ringgit would restore its value once the 1MDB’s debts issue was resolved. Maybe people think that it is only a political lingo. However, Zeti may have her valid reasons to say this, judging from her esteemed status.

Therefore，as people complain against the higher toll charges, they should not forget the two important issues and should follow-through with their development as part of the responsibility of a citizen.

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