SEMENYIH POLLS | Transport Minister Anthony Loke has hit back at opposition criticism at Putrajaya's plan to exempt highway congestion charges only from 11pm to 5am.
"Many in the opposition issued statements, particularly from (former prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak and (MCA president) Wee Ka Siong, making statements that we are supposedly only making the highways free for drunkards.
"Are everyone using the highway at that time are drunkards?... Don't forget about the night shift workers," he told journalists while campaigning for the Semenyih by-election this evening.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister's Office announced that the government has entered into talks to acquire four highways from Gamuda Bhd in the Klang Valley
The PMO said upon successful acquisition, the government plans to abolish tolls and impose a congestion charge where the rate will be up to 30 percent lower than current tolls and free during the off-peak period from 11pm to 5am.
Following the announcement, Wee mocked: "To go to work through heavy traffic you have to pay tolls, but going home after becoming drunk is toll-free".
Meanwhile, Najib (photo) questioned if workers should wait until 11pm before going home.
On a related matter, Loke defended against criticism that the toll negotiations was announced during the Semenyih by-election period to fish for votes.
"How long do we have to wait? After Semenyih there will also be the Rantau by-election.
"Does it mean we can't announce anything as long as there are by-elections?" he asked.
Loke said the people expected results fast and the government is trying to move swiftly.
He also pointed out that the four highways where the government plans to acquire had nothing to do with Semenyih motorists.
"None of the highways is in Semenyih," he said.
The highways are Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP), Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (Sprint), Lebuhraya Shah Alam (Kesas) and Smart Tunnel.
In a separate statement, Wee said the government's plan was tantamount to replacing once charge with another.
"Has the Harapan government spoke to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka on the meaning of abolition? The Prime Minister's Office's statement referred to replacing toll charges with congestion charges," he said. - Mkini
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