Highway robbery

[myo539]

Recently drove back from east coast using the new Highway from Desaru. Had RM5.90 deducted by the Touch & Go - for that stretch to JB. Even though the bridge over the Johore River is imposing and grand and the road straight, RM5.90 is just too much for the locals as they seem to shun - the highway was almost deserted compared to the N-S Highway.

Being a Singaporean of course I didn't mind because I always heed Emeritius SM Goh's philosophy of "prosper thy neighbours". Just like I didn't mind spending a few hundred dollars for the beaches, resort and seafood - even though their attractions are not something to crow at.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today questioned why major highway concessionaires were still increasing their toll rates when they have already recovered their construction costs and were raking in "exorbitant" profits.

Deputy Works Minister Yong Khoon Seng ... revealed that concessionaires managing 27 highways have raked in a total of RM37.7 billion from toll collections, in addition to RM2.1 billion from the government as compensation.

This is despite the total construction costs amounting to RM26.4 billion, giving the concessionaires profits exceeding RM13 billion...."This is a cash cow at our expense. We want to know why the toll rates keep on increasing. They are already making money. Project Lebuhraya Utara Selatan (Plus) is the most glaring example and its concession will last until 2039," Lim said.

Singaporeans therefore shouldn't KPKB so much if only $1.00 is deducted for ERP in their own country. Afterall Singaporeans driving to Iskandar economic zone pay much, much more - and I think they pay it with a smile.

 

[Cruxx]

You like to play this game right? No ERP in Hong Kong.

 

[po2wq]

... Singaporeans therefore shouldn't KPKB so much if only $1.00 is deducted for ERP in their own country. Afterall Singaporeans driving to Iskandar economic zone pay much, much more - and I think they pay it with a smile.

ya, man! ...

sinkies shud juz stay in sg ...

evryday wake up 3 hrs earlier 2 take mrt ... n feel dey r smart 2 1-up in case mrt breaks down ...

 

[Agoraphobic]

How's the beach on Johor's East Coast? Worth the effort for the trip?

Cheers!

 

[myo539]

How's the beach on Johor's East Coast? Worth the effort for the trip?
Cheers!

Not during this NE monsoon season; sudden storms are common and beaches are treacherous. You may be caught in some floods along some stretches of the lowlying road. Careful with roads because they are bumpy and uneven, and with potholes. S'poreans should avoid going by motor-cycle because once you are unwary and hit the potholes, you will fly like a missile. After March should be ok for some of the islands. Had to oblige going there because of kinship.

 

[myo539]

You like to play this game right? No ERP in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is much bigger in land area, but it seems to be much more crowded. Roads are heavy with traffic, and the flats are smaller and much more costly.
"The city’s air pollution is linked to thousands of avoidable deaths, the University of Hong Kong said last year, with many due to respiratory and cardiovascular disease."

 

[Agoraphobic]

Thanks for reminding me of the NE monsoons. I remember watching the youtube floods in Kota Tinggi. For me, I really hate the congestion and crowds. On the Mon-Fri working week, can't be helped. But when the weekends come I will do anything to avoid he crowds. Malls are a no-no for me. Last year I was at a Kuantan Beach Resort for a seminar and I really appreciate the beach there. Will make the trip yearly if time permits.

Cheers!

Not during this NE monsoon season; sudden storms are common and beaches are treacherous. You may be caught in some floods along some stretches of the lowlying road. Careful with roads because they are bumpy and uneven, and with potholes. S'poreans should avoid going by motor-cycle because once you are unwary and hit the potholes, you will fly like a missile. After March should be ok for some of the islands. Had to oblige going there because of kinship.

 

[palden]

Sinkees always kpkb. Ministers increase pay kpkb. Minister cut pay kpkb. Minister never take train kpkb. Minister take train also kpkb.

 

[Cruxx]

Hong Kong is much bigger in land area, but it seems to be much more crowded. Roads are heavy with traffic, and the flats are smaller and much more costly.
"The city’s air pollution is linked to thousands of avoidable deaths, the University of Hong Kong said last year, with many due to respiratory and cardiovascular disease."

Red herring. We're talking about toll rates (or the lack thereof, in the case of HK). But if you insist....

As of 2009 the Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong reports that there are 584,000 licensed vehicles in Hong Kong and about 2,050 kilometres of public roads.[14] In terms of private car ownership, the number of cars per capita is half that of Singapore and one-third that of Taiwan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Hong_Kong#Private_cars

So tell me, how exactly would ERP solve the air pollution problem in Hong Kong when they already have less cars than Sinkieland?

 

[Cruxx]

Sinkees always kpkb. Ministers increase pay kpkb. Minister cut pay kpkb. Minister never take train kpkb. Minister take train also kpkb.

True. There are some Sinkies who like to kpkb about how other Sinkies like to kpkb.

 

[Cruxx]

These useless PAP supporters enjoy being humiliated, don't they? Welcome to Singapore - a country with more sheep than New Zealand.

 

[JayBee]

Recently drove back from east coast using the new Highway from Desaru. Had RM5.90 deducted by the Touch & Go - for that stretch to JB. Even though the bridge over the Johore River is imposing and grand and the road straight, RM5.90 is just too much for the locals as they seem to shun - the highway was almost deserted compared to the N-S Highway.

Being a Singaporean of course I didn't mind because I always heed Emeritius SM Goh's philosophy of "prosper thy neighbours". Just like I didn't mind spending a few hundred dollars for the beaches, resort and seafood - even though their attractions are not something to crow at.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today questioned why major highway concessionaires were still increasing their toll rates when they have already recovered their construction costs and were raking in "exorbitant" profits.

Deputy Works Minister Yong Khoon Seng ... revealed that concessionaires managing 27 highways have raked in a total of RM37.7 billion from toll collections, in addition to RM2.1 billion from the government as compensation.

This is despite the total construction costs amounting to RM26.4 billion, giving the concessionaires profits exceeding RM13 billion...."This is a cash cow at our expense. We want to know why the toll rates keep on increasing. They are already making money. Project Lebuhraya Utara Selatan (Plus) is the most glaring example and its concession will last until 2039," Lim said.

Singaporeans therefore shouldn't KPKB so much if only $1.00 is deducted for ERP in their own country. Afterall Singaporeans driving to Iskandar economic zone pay much, much more - and I think they pay it with a smile.

Instead of focusing on bad mouthing Malaysia like your other 1001 postings, you should concentrate on thinking whether you will make it back home on time when MRT services are disrupted, whether your mother can get home when Orchard Road is ponding, whether your bank account has been compromised.

If you talk to your so called kinship about what you have written here, you will most likely never be invited again.