Press Statement

by Lim Guan Eng

(Petaling Jaya, Friday): Works Minister Datuk S. Samy Vellu's refusal to tear down the Sungai Nyior Toll Plaza in BORR shows that the deferment of toll collection is only a temporary device to appease the people and toll will be restored after BN scores a thumping victory in the coming general elections. DAP had pressed the government not to postpone but cancel toll collection for the Sungai Nyior toll plaza as it is part of an existing access road freely used without any toll paid by local motorists for the past 10 years.

By not tearing down the toll plaza at Sungai Nyior, it is clear that the government intends to finally collect toll and such postponement is only temporary to allow BN to face the coming general elections. I had never announced that the toll be abolished as I am not the Works Minister and do not have such powers. For a Works Minister to refuse to exercise his powers to abolish unfair and unreasonable toll for the people's benefit, is a gross failure of his responsibility to look after the people's welfare.

To-date Samy has not explained why the cost the BORR has gone up from RM 410 million in 1998 to RM 700 million now. Further who is paying for the postponement of toll collection in Sungai Nyior Toll Plaza – is it the company or the government? As most highway concession contracts favour the company by guaranteeing compensation payments should they not be allowed to increase or charge toll rates, the people have a right to know how much compensation is paid. Samy has not revealed the contents of the contract nor the amount of compensation paid.

Samy Vellu insists that the stretch of road leading to Sungai Nyior Toll Plaza is part of the BORR not part of the old road. DAP challenges Samy to have the political courage and respect the democratic process by holding a dialogue with affected residents of this matter to determine who is telling the truth and whether it is justifiable to collect toll.