Hike in Toll vs Road Tax Reduction

The announcement by the TPM in road tax reduction is nothing more than a reactionary attempt to play down the huge increase in toll and to appease the rising protest from the people.

A fairer reduction would be to impose no road tax at all to counter the inflationary toll cost. To be really fair, toll collections must be reduced as the government has paid in excess of more than RM700 million to the highway concessions.

An increase of 60 sen one way toll means RM24 at least per month, which is about RM300 a year. So, a mere 10% or so reduction in road tax is meaningless to the people. The BN government continues to burden the people and reward the already rich toll companies.

It clearly shows the lack of integrity and transparency of the UMNO-BN led government when it considers that the dealings and agreements with the highway concessions should remain a secret.

A government sensitive to the people’s problem and hardship is what the people are looking for. That empathy is blatantly misssing in the UMNO-BN government.

Fuziah Salleh

Advertisement

Visits to Flood Victims Centre

I visited the victims in Malacca yesterday (Sunday 24^th December 2006). One of the sites was based at Bukit Katil. It was not a sight to be proud of, but victims and helpers made the best of what they had and tried to make life bearable without what they were used to having.

Many victims told me of their unfortunate flood experience, which was the first in their lives.

It is an irony when the victims highlighted shortage of water at the centre.

Another irony would be the RM104 million spent on works in upgrading the rivers in Malacca. Much went to “beautifying” them instead of effort and resources toward a better water management project to prepare for any eventuality. The same may be said about almost all the states in Malaysia. In addition, the harmony between rapid development and environment had not posed as the topmost priority issue to be vigorously pursued by some states and federal government projects.

One family had to celebrate Christmas at the centre. I thought perhaps a Christmas tree would cheer them up instantly.

I will try to upload the pictures…

BARISAN NASIONAL’S SIMPLISTIC APPROACH TO PROBLEMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ILLEGAL SEX INDUSTRY

 

 

Press Statement

22 December 2006

 

BARISAN NASIONAL’S SIMPLISTIC APPROACH TO PROBLEMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ILLEGAL SEX INDUSTRY

 

The unfortunate incident experienced by Ji Zhe Hua highlights the weaknesses of the BN Government in solving the the nation’s problems, particularly in resolving the alarming issues in human trafficking and the illegal sex industry, which also involves foreign women. Miss Ji Zhe Hua is a victim of the BN’s weaknesses and the simplistic approach to solving her case and related problems.

KeADILan Women regards the exploitation and commercialisation of women in illegal sex and related issues, which involves foreign women in Malaysia as deplorable incidents. The government must better demonstrate and prove their commitment in eradicating the vice. To merely suspect women visitors from China as prospective prostitutes, intimidating them at entertainment spots and points of entry into Malaysia are purely simplistic attempts in resolving problems.

Getting to the bottom of issues and problems in illegal sex and human trafficking demands a shift in thinking and a change in approach. In the majority of cases, women are the victims of a huge and systematic network of illegal syndicates. Women become victims, therefore, they need help and protection from the authorities, but in reality, the opposite happens. Women are those who are usually captured while the operators of illegal sex and human traffickers remain scot free to continue exploiting women and do as they please, reaping millions in vice oprations.

KeADILlan Women strongly asserts that the BN Government has continually failed to effectively handle the problems of illegal sex and human trafficking, with no clear commitment to put in existence the anti-human trafficking laws.

The incidence of rampant corruption among enforcement personnel has presistently made it difficult to combat the vices and break the syndicates’ operations which continue to flourish day by day.

KeaADILan Women demands the sensitivity and commitment of the BN Government in resolving the problems mentioned, particularly by the Woman Minister, to ensure the liberation of many women from such deplorable condition in Malaysia.

 

Hjh Fuziah Salleh

Head of Women Wing

KeADILan

————————————————————–