Business in JB down 30% following Causeway toll hike, says DAP

A Johor politician says the Causeway toll war was creating a wall separating Malaysia and Singapore. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, September 13, 2014.

Business in Johor Baru has dropped by 30% over the past six weeks following the hefty toll increases at the Causeway to Singapore, DAP said today.

Skudai assemblyman Dr Boo Cheng Hau said that the Singapore Land Transport Authority's announcement that it would match the toll rates at the Woodlands Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) with that of Iskandar CIQ would have an adverse impact on businesses in Johor Baru.

"This will have an adverse impact on Johor Baru's businesses and Johor folk working in Singapore," he said in a statement.

"For an average car, toll charges at both Iskandar and Woodlands CIQ would cost RM33," said Dr Boo, adding this was an additional burden for Johor folk.

"Even though S$13 may not be a burden for Singaporeans working in Johor, it is a heavy burden for commuters from Johor, including school buses, buses, taxis and domestic commuters."

The new toll rates at Woodlands CIQ will take effect on October 1.

"The toll hike by Singapore will further hurt businesses in Johor Baru," Dr Boo said, adding that investor confidence in Iskandar Malaysia would also be affected.

"The lack of transparency on the toll collections by concessionaire PLUS over the past 29 years will also have an impact on investor confidence.”

He said PLUS was estimated to have collected between RM876 million and RM1.5 billion over the past 29 years.

"This is more than sufficient to cover the construction of the proposed Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) which is estimated to cost RM1 billion."

Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong said the Causeway toll war was creating a wall separating Malaysia and Singapore.

"With both sides now increasing the toll rates by up to 470% each, it is now almost impossible for ordinary Malaysians to commute on a daily basis across the Causeway.

"The Iskandar Development Region is as good as gone while the local economy in Johor will face bleak prospects."

Liew said that since Putrajaya announced the CIQ toll hike in July, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has not spoken on the subject.

“It is time for Najib to step up and empathise with the plight of ordinary Malaysians," he said, adding that Najib should show his leadership skills and resolve the crisis.

The toll implemented on August 1 is to fund the RM1.3 billion EDL, which is free for all motorists in Johor Baru, except for those going through the CIQ complex to Singapore.

Motorists from Singapore entering Johor through the CIQ Complex have to pay a toll of RM9.70, up from the previous RM2.90.

Those travelling from Johor to Singapore previously paid no toll, but are now subject to a new toll of RM6.80.

While motorcycles are exempted, buses, goods vehicles and taxis now also have to fork out extra at the Malaysian checkpoint.

- TMI