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In line with our struggle to uphold the people benefit before NPE, DAP Selangor and Kuala Lumpur FT are co-organising a weekly demonstration every Saturday at 10am, starting on 10th April to protest against the unfair toll collection   Press Statement by Ean Yong Hian Wah (Petaling Jaya, Friday): The government has to explain to the people why the Deputy Works Minister Datuk Mohd. Zin Mohamed has claimed that the government feels that the current toll amount for NPE is a “reasonable” sum.  The RM1.35-billion NPE is a new tolled expressway that links Subang Jaya and Bangsar. The new expressway is 19.6 km and there are 3 toll stations along the new expressway. The 3 toll stations are PJS 5, PJS 2 and Pantai Dalam toll stations.   Motorists now have to pay RM1.60 each time they arrive at any of these toll stations. If a motorist wishes to travel from Subang Jaya to Bangsar or vice versa using the NPE, the motorist will have to pay RM1.60 x 2 = RM3.20. Eventually, a return trip will cost RM6.40.   With the amount charged, one can actually drive from Kuala Lumpur to Tapah using the North-South Highway! On top of that, the NPE toll fare is set to increase to RM2.00 (per toll station) in 2009.   Can this be regarded as “Cemerlang, Gemilang dan Terbilang”? The Deputy Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed has claimed that “the government is firm and will not reduce the rate despite complaints from motorists”? Has the Deputy Minister violated the advice from the PM that government officers and servants shall listen to the truth? Is this the people’s “reward” for their overwhelming support for BN during the last GE?   The Deputy Minister is certainly NOT listening to the truth or the people, nor is he adhering to the “Cemerlang, Gemilang dan Terbilang” spirit. The truth is right here and it is a rational one, and yet the Deputy Minister does not seem bothered. The government should “reward” the people with a much more reasonable toll fare.   In line with our struggle to uphold the people benefit before NPE, DAP Selangor and Kuala Lumpur FT are co-organising a weekly demonstration every Saturday at 10am, starting on 10th April to protest against the unfair toll collection. It has been the DAP’s policy that there should not be any toll collection on any intra-city expressway, if proper town planning standards had been in place.   The NPE is just another example of poor town planning. As the NPE is already completed, DAP Selangor and Kuala Lumpur FT propose to totally abolish the toll stations.   DAP Selangor and Kuala Lumpur FT also urge the authorities to ensure that the NPE is congestion-free as motorists pay toll to avoid the heavy traffic jam along the Federal Highway. It will be meaningless to have the NPE if motorists still have to face heavy traffic jam, as is the situation at the NPE right now.   The Deputy Works Minister has claimed that the staggeringly high  development cost was mainly due to the construction of elevated overhead bridge, which comprises 90 percent of the total expressway length. It also includes the cost for land acquisition and delay in completion. (The Sun, 16th April 2004)  His comments have proved that it is either the government or the concessionaire’s fault which has contributed to the high cost and led to more expensive toll fare of RM1.60. The statement made by the Deputy Works Minister is most irresponsible and the people now have to pay the price for their incompetence.  DAP Selangor and Kuala Lumpur FT also urge elected BN MPs and SAs for PJ Selatan, Kelana Jaya, Lembah Pantai, Taman Medan, Bukit Gasing and Subang Jaya not to forget their promises to the people during the last general election and wash their hands off the matter. They should look after the people's interest rather than the interest of the toll company.   DAP Selangor and Kuala Lumpur FT therefore urge all Malaysians and concerned citizens to come out in support of protest against the unfair toll fares on NPE on Saturday at 10am. We will gather at PJS 2 toll station. We will drive slowly and pay only 1 sen to show the people’s dissatisfaction towards the unfair toll collection and poor planning of the authorities.       (16/4/2004) * Ean Yong Hian Wah, DAP  Selangor State Secretary and Chairman to the DAP Action Committee on New Pantai Expressway