Permit me to use malaysiakini to air some of my thoughts as a grateful and satisfied visitor to a great and lovely Malaysia. Since time immemorial, Singaporeans and Malaysians have been crossing the Causeway in search for leisure, shopping, business and employment to find a better life or to reduce their high cost of living.
However, this was rudely disrupted suddenly, when the Malaysian government decided to implement the 'petrol surcharge' to curb the surge in petrol usage by foreign vehicles from Singapore.
Although, the plan was marvelous, as it will instantly cause the influx of of Singaporeans to stop and it has not crossed the minds of the Malaysian politicians that such a move will be counter- productive.
By implementing the petrol levy the Malaysian government has unwittingly fallen into a trap laid by the Singapore government to preventing Singaporeans from coming into Malaysia.
The Singapore government has for so many years inconvenienced visitors of both sides by implementing draconian measures to make life difficult such as the 3/4 tank rule, the one-day shopping limit rule, tight security checks for all cars, four lanes converging to single lane rule, doing away with the domestic passport rule, the $30 for each Malaysian car rules, the toll rule and many more petty and restrictive measures to prevent motorists from moving up and down the Causeway.
The Malaysian government’s move to impose the petrol levy is now another blunder that will prevent more Singaporeans from visiting Johor Baru. This, so soon after the cancellation of the bridge project. I cannot help laughing with such a blunder happening so quickly after the first blunder.
Johor businesses will suffer the aftermath this petrol levy rule. Nightclubs, restaurants, golf courses and shopping malls will suffer including small-time businesses and employers. Resentment from the local populace will be far and wide and will probably spread to as far as Segamat and Seremban.
So, I appeal to those in authority in Malaysia to re-consider this petrol levy on Singaporean cars. Be wary of the possible consequences.
Good luck to Malaysia! |
NEWS
