According to the Working Group on Public Transportation in Malaysia (KKPAM), the root cause behind the country’s public transportation woes lies in the unholy trinity of Proton, politics and profit.
“Proton is the single largest problem facing public transport in Malaysia,” said Centre for Environment, Technology and Development Malaysia (Cetdem) executive director Gurmit Singh, who represents his organisation in the working group.
Gurmit (right), speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today organised by KKPAM, lamented that the focus on personal vehicles and the promotion of the national car manufacturer for nearly 30 years had directly or indirectly caused the government to neglect nurturing a healthy public transport infrastructure.
The environmental activist said that his earlier warnings about the matter was stifled by the mainstream media who had gone as far as distorting his words and “printing absolute lies”.
Meanwhile, retired serviceman NB Deyananda pointed to politics as the cause of the country’s shoddy public transport, along with other issues afflicting our lives today like healthcare and education.
“The people has been in power for over four decades and are behind all these problems... My answer, to solve the problem you change the people responsible,” opined the former army officer.
Deyananda, who is in the working group on his personal capacity as a frustrated public transport user with many “grouses to air”, posited that political interference in policy decisions or poor policies by political appointees had resulted in the mess the public has to now deal with.
He is also concerned that when services for public convenience like public transport is given over to free enterprise to operate, their main focus will not be on best service, but on the most profit.
“Proton is the single largest problem facing public transport in Malaysia,” said Centre for Environment, Technology and Development Malaysia (Cetdem) executive director Gurmit Singh, who represents his organisation in the working group.Gurmit (right), speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today organised by KKPAM, lamented that the focus on personal vehicles and the promotion of the national car manufacturer for nearly 30 years had directly or indirectly caused the government to neglect nurturing a healthy public transport infrastructure.
The environmental activist said that his earlier warnings about the matter was stifled by the mainstream media who had gone as far as distorting his words and “printing absolute lies”.
Meanwhile, retired serviceman NB Deyananda pointed to politics as the cause of the country’s shoddy public transport, along with other issues afflicting our lives today like healthcare and education.
“The people has been in power for over four decades and are behind all these problems... My answer, to solve the problem you change the people responsible,” opined the former army officer.
Deyananda, who is in the working group on his personal capacity as a frustrated public transport user with many “grouses to air”, posited that political interference in policy decisions or poor policies by political appointees had resulted in the mess the public has to now deal with.He is also concerned that when services for public convenience like public transport is given over to free enterprise to operate, their main focus will not be on best service, but on the most profit.
Profit 'rules the roost'
Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s P Siva, who also sits on the working group, agrees with Deyananda, pointing out that in Malaysia, property developers may have a hand in deciding transportation hubs.
He gave the example of the transport hub in Sungai Buluh surrounded by empty Rubber Research Institute land, sidelining other areas in urgent need of public transport.
This, he said, caused consternation to many, until it was revealed that a future multi-million Ringgit development is in the works.
“Profit and business interests rule the roost” and not public needs and interests he said, as businesses and cronies dictate public transport policies.
He warned that the planned acquisition of national railway firm Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) is a clear example where not only rail workers but the public may lose out as profit-minded corporate entity takes over, as not only the welfare of workers but public convenience is at risk.
Siva conceded that public transport may not be a win-win industry as public interest conflicts with profitability, but he posits that what is possible is for a “sustainable” model that allows for the business to survive but the public needs given first consideration.
While lauding the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) public transportation blueprint to overhaul the current system, the group calls for a public engagement so that the commission can explain its aims and the public can give their feedback as public transport’s biggest stakeholders.
Today’s press conference by KKPAM was to publicise their up and coming public forum on public transport, themed “Moving from private to public transport”, scheduled to take place on Nov 3.
It will be held at the Petaling Jaya Community Library from 8.30am to 4pm. Admission is free and open to all.
He gave the example of the transport hub in Sungai Buluh surrounded by empty Rubber Research Institute land, sidelining other areas in urgent need of public transport.
This, he said, caused consternation to many, until it was revealed that a future multi-million Ringgit development is in the works.
“Profit and business interests rule the roost” and not public needs and interests he said, as businesses and cronies dictate public transport policies.
He warned that the planned acquisition of national railway firm Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) is a clear example where not only rail workers but the public may lose out as profit-minded corporate entity takes over, as not only the welfare of workers but public convenience is at risk.Siva conceded that public transport may not be a win-win industry as public interest conflicts with profitability, but he posits that what is possible is for a “sustainable” model that allows for the business to survive but the public needs given first consideration.
While lauding the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) public transportation blueprint to overhaul the current system, the group calls for a public engagement so that the commission can explain its aims and the public can give their feedback as public transport’s biggest stakeholders.
Today’s press conference by KKPAM was to publicise their up and coming public forum on public transport, themed “Moving from private to public transport”, scheduled to take place on Nov 3.
It will be held at the Petaling Jaya Community Library from 8.30am to 4pm. Admission is free and open to all.
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