Toll hikes and the bigger picture
THE words “tolls” or “taxes” rarely bring smiles to people’s faces, unless they are followed by the verbs “abolished” or “reduced”.
Since the beginning of the month, I have been hearing concerns about the new toll rates at the Causeway and how it was going to affect the state’s economy.
At first, the general sentiment was that the tolls at the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex was only going to affect those travelling to Singapore.
Perhaps businessmen would have more foresight on the matter, but I cannot see the bigger picture.
I posted this as my Facebook (FB) status: “How do the words ‘tolls’ and ‘taxes’ make you feel?”
I was hoping to see at least one positive comment.
Such as “gratitude”, perhaps? Yes, I can hear the laughter and feel the scorn already.
Maybe I’ve been reading too many motivational books and have become delusional.
But motivational speakers always say we have to be thankful that we are paying taxes.
All right, if the toll charges and tax are reasonable, then perhaps there wouldn’t be an uproar.
Or if the infrastructure of the building was new, then people would not mind so much.
An FB commenter also said that the petty traders are the ones who will be affected the most.
Not the affluent, but the common folk.
I guess I agree with that, as there will be a domino effect.
As it is, school bus fares have already increased.
One car wash operator had also been protesting from the first day he heard about the toll hike.
And recently, he became even more worried when he received a letter from the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) that he has to pay a RM5,000 deposit for running his car wash business in the city.
A businessman whose customers are mostly from Singapore said he did not know what the deposit was for.
“Moreover, I don’t have a business licence.
“Why do I need to pay a deposit with the MBJB?”
Well, perhaps the deposit was to weed out illegal businessmen like himself or those operating illegal massage centres.
As in all things, there is always a good and bad side.
A higher toll fee may ease traffic congestion.
On the other hand, it affects business.
It may be easier to find a parking space now.
Motorists queueing at the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
THE words “tolls” or “taxes” rarely bring smiles to people’s faces, unless they are followed by the verbs “abolished” or “reduced”.
Since the beginning of the month, I have been hearing concerns about the new toll rates at the Causeway and how it was going to affect the state’s economy.
At first, the general sentiment was that the tolls at the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex was only going to affect those travelling to Singapore.
Perhaps businessmen would have more foresight on the matter, but I cannot see the bigger picture.
I posted this as my Facebook (FB) status: “How do the words ‘tolls’ and ‘taxes’ make you feel?”
I was hoping to see at least one positive comment.
Such as “gratitude”, perhaps? Yes, I can hear the laughter and feel the scorn already.
Maybe I’ve been reading too many motivational books and have become delusional.
But motivational speakers always say we have to be thankful that we are paying taxes.
All right, if the toll charges and tax are reasonable, then perhaps there wouldn’t be an uproar.
Or if the infrastructure of the building was new, then people would not mind so much.
An FB commenter also said that the petty traders are the ones who will be affected the most.
Not the affluent, but the common folk.
I guess I agree with that, as there will be a domino effect.
As it is, school bus fares have already increased.
One car wash operator had also been protesting from the first day he heard about the toll hike.
And recently, he became even more worried when he received a letter from the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) that he has to pay a RM5,000 deposit for running his car wash business in the city.
A businessman whose customers are mostly from Singapore said he did not know what the deposit was for.
“Moreover, I don’t have a business licence.
“Why do I need to pay a deposit with the MBJB?”
Well, perhaps the deposit was to weed out illegal businessmen like himself or those operating illegal massage centres.
As in all things, there is always a good and bad side.
A higher toll fee may ease traffic congestion.
On the other hand, it affects business.
It may be easier to find a parking space now.
Motorists queueing at the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
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