Will Budget 2025 see govt’s transport priorities change?

 

Will the upcoming Budget 2025 see the government change its approach towards transportation, or should we brace for disappointment once again?

Past budgets have seen the government pursue flawed priorities.

• Highway privatisation: Until now, there has been no discernible move to end the privatisation of highways, leaving the public burdened by toll charges. Will the government show a willingness to end this bad policy and commit to establishing equitable infrastructure development in Budget 2025?
• No emphasis on efficient public transport: Despite an ever-growing need, past budgets never placed any real emphasis on affordable and efficient public transport solutions. Instead, the government has always prioritised costly projects, such as the LRT, MRT3 and Penang LRT.
• Imbalanced funding across cities: Past allocations of RM10.5 billion for Penang’s LRT system, and RM40 billion for MRT3 exemplify an unbalanced distribution of resources. Meanwhile, other cities have received little to no attention, resulting in unequal transportation development across the country. Is this set to change?
• Dire need for public transport in KK and JB: Cities like Kota Kinabalu and Johor Bahru are in urgent need of public transportation infrastructure. However, over the years the budgets tabled in Parliament have repeatedly overlooked these critical cities, leaving millions of people struggling with inadequate transit options. Will Budget 2025 prioritise these neglected regions, cities and towns?
• Overlooking cost-effective options: To date, cheaper alternatives like the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the Autonomous Rail Transit (ART), which is being tested in Putrajaya, have not been prioritised, overlooking their ability to provide immediate and widespread benefits. Will this change this year?
• Over-concentration on Klang Valley: The focus on developing transportation infrastructure in the Klang Valley has left many state capitals and regional cities neglected. Will Budget 2025 address the significant traffic issues and lack of adequate public transportation solutions?
• Bias towards EVs: Recently, the international trade and industry ministry and the finance ministry have shown a bias towards electric vehicle (EV) suppliers. While EVs are a positive environmental step, excessive focus on this sector does nothing to address the core issue of traffic congestion. More cars, whether electric or otherwise, will not solve the worsening traffic problem.
• No bold measures to tackle congestion: Over the years, the government has repeatedly shied away from taking bold action, such as by increasing fuel prices, introducing congestion charges, and raising parking fees, particularly in Kuala Lumpur. Will it finally introduce these to deal with traffic congestion and pollution?

Malaysia’s budgets must focus on equitable and practical transportation solutions and emphasise public over private transport and sustainable traffic management across the entire country. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.