A cheer must have gone up in PM Lee’s cabinet at the news that LTA has finally fixed Oct 1 as the day to increase tolls at the Woodlands Checkpoint.
The objective LTA said was to match any Malaysian toll as it was its long-standing policy.
Nobody had had any doubt that the Singapore government would carry out its threat to match JB toll hikes given its core value of greed. Surely it was a god-send opportunity to squeeze some more money out of motorists that was not to be missed.
Singapore motorists will feel very hard done by since they face a barrage of sky-high road tax, ERP, COE and harassment by LTA Enforcement desperately searching for illegal parking in order to earn commission.
With its characteristic arrogance the Singapore government ignores the financial burden the new tolls will be causing Singaporeans.
There’s nothing wrong with people trying to stretch their dollar in JB. Given the fact that Singapore is the most expensive city in the world, the government should be grateful that our neighbor offers some relief in lower prices of goods and services.
Saying that it’s its long-standing policy to match Malaysian tolls is a very weak and laughable excuse.
An authority with the power to impose charges must do so with great responsibility and the reasons given must be reasonable, fair and credible. If not, its credibility is eroded and over time whatever it says will be greeted with nothing but derision.
LTA has reached that stage with its tit-for-tat response to the JB toll hikes.
Saying that it will match the toll hikes is merely smoke and mirrors.
In response to my SMS, a friend replied: PAP wants duit (money).
HARDY