Is Najib Sincere?

Gov't to 'study' scrapping one of Cheras-Kajang tolls

Sources : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/173704

The prime minister today asked the Works Ministry to study the possibility of abolishing one of the two toll collections on the Cheras-Kajang Highway. Najib Razak said the study should then be tabled to the cabinet for perusal before the government could decide on the issue which had for long been a woe for residents living around the area. "On the Grand Saga toll, I will ask the Works Ministry to study the matter in depth and bring it up to the Cabinet for us to see whether we can afford to do something about the toll issue here,” he told the crowd at the prime minister's breaking-of-fast with Selangor residents at Dataran Usahawan, Batu 14, Hulu Langat town, today. Also present at the function were Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Noh Omar and Semenyih assemblyman Johan Abd Aziz, who is also Hulu Langat Umno division chief. The prime minister said he could not simply approve any application (to abolish toll) put forward to him as it could have a major financial implication. Najib who is also Finance Minister, said as a responsible leader, he needed to study such an application thoroughly before making any decision and if the request was reasonable, it would be approved eventually. "I know if I make an announcement now (on toll abolishment), I will get a thunderous applause. But as the finance minister responsible, I will have to study the matter thoroughly and if it can be considered favourably, an announcement will be made in due time." Najib made the statement following the Semenyih assemblyman's request, as residents around the area have to pay toll twice to highway concessionaire Grand Saga Tol Sdn Bhd at RM0.90 and RM1.10 within a distance of two kilometres. In his speech to the crowd of more than 5,000, Najib also assured that the government would consider upgrading Kajang Hospital which had been operating for over 100 years and could no longer cope with the rising number of patients due to increased population in the area. "Many applications are made to the government and as a leader, I am willing to consider and its also my job, so that the Barisan National (BN) government is seen as one that really gives priority to the people." Najib who is also Selangor Umno liaison chief, said Malaysians should be grateful as the BN-led government had proven to be effective in bringing change and tackling economic issues when many developed countries including the United States were facing an economic crisis. "As Malaysians, we should feel fortunate and appreciate that we are living in a country where we can feel that the future will be brighter. "If we ask the people, they will feel that their life will get better and have the confidence that if the government continues with the direction and plans like the GTP, ETP and 10MP, God willing they will have a brighter future." He said the people should also realise that this situation did not happen on its own unless they voted in a government that had proven capable of administering and transforming the country. He said this situation was different from that in some developed countries where the allocations and pensions were cut, and they were forced to depend on assistance from other countries for financial injections to solve their financial crisis. Najib had earlier handed over Ramadan contribution from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Foundation to the poor, orphans and senior citizens, as well as 1Malaysia laptop computers to selected residents in the Hulu Langat parliamentary constituency. Najib later performed Maghrib prayers at the Hishamuddin Alam Shah Mosque here before going to Kg. Pasir Baru Jamek Mosque in Semenyih, about 25km away from here, for Isyak and Tarawih prayers and moreh with the congregation. - Bernama