Malaysians Disgruntled Over Toll Increase

Of late, Malaysians have been a dissatisfied lot. Inflation has insidiously eaten into their purchasing power,particularly the poor and to some extent, the middle class. Increasing prices of essential items and the prospect of another round of price increase in petrol have heightened their anxiety. The recent announcement in toll increases must have driven some Malaysians up against the wall as evidenced by the protest against toll increases at a popular shopping mall. Especially hard hit are the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor state residents. Although Samy Vellu, the Minister of Works is quick to point out that Malaysian toll rates are one of the lowest in the world, Malaysians, so used to government subsidies, have pointed an accusing finger at him and the government for allowing the toll concessionaires to make excessive profits at the expense of Malaysians.