While MCA spins excuses that it was PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was responsible for unfair toll agreements, the former has done nothing to actually prevent toll hikes, said PKR.
"The Pakatan Selangor government has successfully exercised its shareholders’ rights to stop the toll hike for the Kesas highway.
"What has MCA done? Will the new leadership of MCA take a principled stand to stop toll hikes defending the vast struggling Malaysians against powerful toll companies?" asked PKR's Bayan Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin (left).
Sim in a statement today quipped that MCA's new vice president Chua Tee Yong must have taken Prime Minister Najib Razak's suggestion for a dose of "political viagra" in his misplaced bravado.
Chua yesterday said BN was not to blame for the upcoming toll hikes, pointing the finger at Anwar for allegedly signing the toll agreements when the latter was finance minister.
"It seems that Chua has gotten the 'political viagra pill' and his spirit was high, thanks to the good advise from the prime minister.
"However, his first salvo after winning MCA VP was shot at the wrong target.
"Instead of speaking up for the struggling Malaysians to stop the toll hikes, he joined a chorus of Umno leaders to blame Anwar on all BN’s failed policies," said Sim.
"The Pakatan Selangor government has successfully exercised its shareholders’ rights to stop the toll hike for the Kesas highway.
"What has MCA done? Will the new leadership of MCA take a principled stand to stop toll hikes defending the vast struggling Malaysians against powerful toll companies?" asked PKR's Bayan Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin (left).Sim in a statement today quipped that MCA's new vice president Chua Tee Yong must have taken Prime Minister Najib Razak's suggestion for a dose of "political viagra" in his misplaced bravado.
Chua yesterday said BN was not to blame for the upcoming toll hikes, pointing the finger at Anwar for allegedly signing the toll agreements when the latter was finance minister.
"It seems that Chua has gotten the 'political viagra pill' and his spirit was high, thanks to the good advise from the prime minister.
"However, his first salvo after winning MCA VP was shot at the wrong target.
"Instead of speaking up for the struggling Malaysians to stop the toll hikes, he joined a chorus of Umno leaders to blame Anwar on all BN’s failed policies," said Sim.
Contracts under PM's thumb
Sim reminded Chua that all toll concession agreements are under the Privatisation Act, and were therefore drafted, evaluated and finally approved by the "powerful Economic Planning Unit (EPU), which falls directly under the prime minister".
He said the role of finance minister was to administer the contract, which is usually signed by the works minister as a representative of the government.
Therefore, he said, Anwar (right) was only facilitating the "policy agendas set by BN and his ex-boss Dr Mahathir Mohamad".
He added that Anwar had "played an important role to reject highway toll hikes during his tenure as finance minister".
Anwar, he said, had frozen toll hikes several times while in office.
On the other hand, there was a toll hike in October 1998 after Anwar was sacked, said Sim.
Sim reminded Chua that all toll concession agreements are under the Privatisation Act, and were therefore drafted, evaluated and finally approved by the "powerful Economic Planning Unit (EPU), which falls directly under the prime minister".
He said the role of finance minister was to administer the contract, which is usually signed by the works minister as a representative of the government.Therefore, he said, Anwar (right) was only facilitating the "policy agendas set by BN and his ex-boss Dr Mahathir Mohamad".
He added that Anwar had "played an important role to reject highway toll hikes during his tenure as finance minister".
Anwar, he said, had frozen toll hikes several times while in office.
On the other hand, there was a toll hike in October 1998 after Anwar was sacked, said Sim.
"And since then (hikes) become yearly affairs, and eventually led to massive toll hike demonstrations in 1999 - 2000."
'Disclose contracts, MCA'
Sim berated Chua for resorting to "political spin" instead of offering new ideas to help the people, such as calling for disclosure of the unfair toll concessions.
"MCA new leadership should demand government to release the entire toll concession agreement in the spirit of transparency, accountability and good governance.
"They should join the rakyat on December 31 at Dataran Merdeka to rally against toll hike and rising cost of living.
"If they failed to speak up for Malaysians interests, it only reaffirms the public perception that MCA is powerless in BN, with or without political viagra," he said.
"MCA new leadership should demand government to release the entire toll concession agreement in the spirit of transparency, accountability and good governance. "They should join the rakyat on December 31 at Dataran Merdeka to rally against toll hike and rising cost of living.
"If they failed to speak up for Malaysians interests, it only reaffirms the public perception that MCA is powerless in BN, with or without political viagra," he said.
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