Umno Youth flays Wahid over toll dodging remark

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Wahid Omar's call for motorists to use alternative routes if they were unhappy impending increase in highway toll charges has not gone down well with Umno Youth.

Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun said Abdul Wahid's statement was "inconceivable" and also asked him to be "careful" before making statements.

However, Khairul Azwan who did not name Abdul Wahid, a former Malayan Banking Bhd CEO before being roped into cabinet.

"Some of these routes are daily primary routes of the people, and not alternatives," said Khairul during a press conference at the Umno headquarters today.

Earlier today, Wahid told reporters in Putrajaya that motorists have an "option" not to use "premium" roads.

Welfare comes first

Khairul also said that ministers should not make such a statement if the people's welfare are their priority.

"We can never accept excuses such as using alternative routes, even if it comes from a cabinet minister. Let us not hurt the people with inconsiderate statements," he said.

"People should be allowed to make their own choice, the minister must not make choices for the people."

He also urged the government to make public the justifications behind the increase in toll charges, stressing that the profit marging of highway operators must be taken into account.

"As far as I know, toll concessionaires mostly make a healthy profit. The government must make this public," he said, stressing that Umno Youth will continue to push for such information to be made public.

Public transport too

He said concessionaires should reduce toll charges as part of corporate social responsibility, adding that it was unlikely that any of the companies involved had incurred higher operational cost to justify higher fees.

Meanwhile, Khairul also urged Tenaga Nasional Bhd to consider exempting public transport operators from the electricity tariff increase that will be imposed from Jan 1 onwards.

"Public transport operators should be exempted from this completely, we think TNB makes enough profit as it is. That way, they can't use this as an excuse to justify an increase in rates," he said.

He said it would be contradictory for the government to increase public transport fees while attempting to encourage more people to leave their cars at home.

He expressed confidence that Umno Youth's proposals will be considered by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, whom he described as a "considerate" prime minister.

"We have informed our youth chief (Khairy Jamaluddin) and he will bring this matter up in the cabinet. We hope to hear news (from him) within one or two days," he said.