Yesterday, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi told the Parliament during oral question time that the federal government has no plans to go ahead with the proposal to impose a 12 year cap on the life span of cars as the government does not want to burden the rakyat.
He later told the media that it was not true that the policy would be implemented and said that it was the opposition‘s speculation.
How could Abdul Aziz put the blame the Opposition when he himself had on Sunday said that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will decide soon on a policy to impose a lifespan on cars?
In fact, the Acting Transport Minister Datuk Hishammuddin was reported to say on Tuesday that the proposal to cap a lifespan on cars will not burden owners with debt.
He was quoted to say the following:-
“I have to find a mechanism so that the people won’t be unduly affected or burdened by the cost of living”. “We may have to go ahead with what has been proposed but there might be mechanisms that won’t create unnecessary burden”.
So the truth is that the federal government has quickly made a U turn due to strong public objections.
It is plain to all that such a new policy if implemented will bring much hardship to the people, yet the acting Transport Minister was prepared to go ahead and implement it.
Did he actually understand or have the time to understand the burden such a policy will bring to the people when there are more than 22 million vehicles on the road in Malaysia with more than five million older than 10 years?
When commenting on Hishammuddin’s failure to swiftly deal with the status of 700,000 old AES summonses, I have said 3 days ago that perhaps it was time to ask if he has the time and ability to take charge of two ministries, which are the Defence and Transport Ministries.
I have said that it will be better that he only heads the Defence Ministry so that he can devote more time to ensure safety of Sabah coastline.
His earlier comments about the now aborted proposal to impose cap on life span of vehicles further proves that he indeed should not take charge of 2 ministries.