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The toll rate was considered high

Aliran is appalled by the Federal Government's recent decision to take over the Seremban-Port Dickson highway simply 'because the concessionaire, SPDH Sdn Bhd, is losing money due to poor toll collection'. The 30km-long highway had failed to attract a high volume of motorists as the toll rate was considered high.

The government's takeover of the highway goes against the very philosophy of normal business - that one has to take risks and losses. This controversial takeover gives the wrong message that it's all right to fail in a venture because the government will be there to back you up. Surely, this is not what the much-touted Malaysia Inc. of the previous prime minister is all about - or is it?

Why should taxpayers, particularly road users who have paid their road tax, be compelled to foot the bill in the form of a government takeover of failed privatised highway projects?

Aliran Executive Committee
13 November 2003

This statement was sent to the local media including The Star and the Sun. We have stopped sending statements to the New Straits Times as they have never been carried.