Via the NST Business Times
According to the government, the toll rate for Phase 1 of the East Coast Expressway is expected to be 12 sen per km. Supposedly, this is 3% lower than the toll rate for the NS Expressway. Wait before you jump for joy. Check out paragraph 11, conveniently mixed in with all of the other FEEL GOOD news.
Sources said while the Government paid for the expressway, MTD is allowed to collect toll because of a “barter arrangement” with the Government.
Wait a minute. The Government paid for the expressway yet MTD still gets to charge a toll? What does "Barter Arrangement" mean? What will this toll money be used for? The next GE campaign fund? Perhaps some of the money will go to the vendors who supplied BN with election posters, etc.
Before I jump the gun and become too critical, I would like clarification from the Government on the reason that MTD is allowed to charge a toll. "Barter Arrangement" won't cut it.
I find this highly disturbing, especially that it comes a few days after Najib said that the Government needs to be better negotiators. Was he just talking or did he fail to tell us when the new, improved, tough negotiating Government was going to become a reality?
Comments