By Wong Shu Qi, Senai State Assemblywoman

It’s finally confirmed by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Abdul Wahid Omar that the latest toll hike at CIQ complex is actually a toll charge of Eastern Dispersal Link regardless if road users use the expressway to reach or leave CIQ complex.

First, the toll charge is ridiculous as it charges all users except motorcyclists even though they may not use the costly highway. The charge is too much and unacceptable although Abdul Wahid Omar tried to justify the payment collected at CIQ as MRCB is also taking care of the maintenance of JB CIQ complex.

The reason provided by the minister is absurd. The manner that BN government allows private concessionaire to collect money at the CIQ is akin to daylight robbery.

Second, the BN government must disclose the EDL concession agreement with MRCB immediately to allow public scrutiny. Official Secrets Act should not be used as a tool for the government to hide all fishy deals behind the scene.

 The 8.1km expressway built with RM 1.3 billion construction cost has probably broken the record of the most expensive highway in Malaysia. It costs close to RM 160 million to build every 1km of the highway.

Undoubtedly, the highway consists of a 4.4km elevated part, yet, the 7.7km Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH) costs only about RM 95 million per km although it is fully elevated and crosses the prime area of Kuala Lumpur.

Furthermore, Abdul Wahid Omar revealed at yesterday’s press conference that the acquisition cost for the EDL is RM1.7 billion. Therefore, it is too costly for the federal government to acquire the highway. This decision was made after the federal government had spent two years to conduct a research.

It is again important for BN government to reveal what is in the deal that was made in 2006, under the Ninth Malaysia Plan; why is the acquisition cost of the highway RM1.7 billion?

It was Prime Minister Najib Razak himself who promised in Parliament before the 13th general election that the EDL would remain toll free. However, just about 15 months after the general election, the promise was broken without any detailed justification except that the price is too high for acquisition.

The people of Johore will not forgive BN for its flip-flop and blood-sucking privatization project.