How Could It Be?
Politically, has BN forgotten that it is going to face two, perhaps three by-elections soon? Would the voters be indifferent to the increment?
By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily
A listed company made an announcement to carry out a major project, causing uneasiness in the market and severe criticisms from the investors. The managing director found something was wrong only on the next day and he hastily called for the suspension of the project. The Board of Directors had a another meeting and cancelled the project.
What consequences would a wrong decision bring to the company?
- The Securities Commission is likely to issue the company a warning or to conduct an investigation on the company for disturbing the market or suspected improper operations. The company has to face a punishment.
- The management capacity of the company leaders would be questioned.
- Investors would lose confidence in the company and this would affect the stock price performance.
How about a wrong decision made by a government?
An announcement for the increment of the toll rates for five highways was made but another announcement was made a day after that, saying the decision was reversed.
Some said the government was sympathize with the people and cared about the people's feelings. I had goose bumps all over my body.
A mistake is a mistake. Changing the decision can only restore some of the mistakes. But the problem has been exposed and the damage has already done.
A rough decision has exposed the government's hastiness in decision making. It has as well harmed the government's credibility.
What time is this? How could toll rates be increased now? I wonder whether some people really understand the BN government's current situation, the country's condition, as well as the people's feelings.
With general political and economic common sense, one must be aware that toll rate increment should not be mentioned at all.
Economically, the general public have been suffering a hard time as our economy grew only 0.1% in fourth quarter of 2008. Okay, I don't have to mention it as we all know we are facing a recession.
Most of the world's governments are finding ways to put money into the people's pockets. How could a government allow highway concessionary companies to put their hands into the people's pockets?
The government is going to make a mini-budget to revive the economy and inspire the confidence of the market. How could the mini-budget be made as they are going to increase toll rates at this very moment?
Politically, has BN forgotten that it is going to face two, perhaps three by-elections soon? Would the voters be indifferent to the increment?
I believe that Bukit Lanjan's voters have to pay more than one toll everyday and some families may reach a total of eight tolls per day. It is a heavy burden for them. Moreover, the highway contracts are much more beneficial to the highway concessionary companies. How could the rates be increased as the people have been extremely dissatisfied and imbalance?
With one and another absurd incident, the people's grievances have filled the air of the political arena. Don't politicians aware of it?
I could hardly understand how the experienced BN government made such a mistake? Could it be…
Yes, the government has pulled back from the brink and delayed the toll rate increment until the end of the year. But the harm has been done and the problem has yet to be resolved!
