I'm sure the majority of the 'rakyat' are fuming mad with S Samy Vellu over his announcement on the toll rate increase. I guess nothing good comes from him when he opens his mouth. It's either `it's not my problem', 'it's my prerogative' or ''we are the cheapest in the region'. Come on Samy, can't you think of a more sensible answer or is this a `deja vu' that we are experiencing?

Let's stop comparing ourselves with the counties which pay a higher toll rate and look at countries which have a lower rate or no tolls at all. I have travelled to many countries in the East and West and I never had a worse experience than in Malaysia as far as bumpy or pothole-ridden roads are concerned. Neither have I witnessed such a constant digging up and patching up and digging up again of roads as in Malaysia. Why can't the Public Works Department coordinate road works better?

Isn't there any supervision to ensure that the roads are properly resurfaced? For those who are driving in the Klang Valley, what are the chances of avoiding a pothole or an uneven road? I'm sure many of you have experienced a punctured tyre or a damaged shock absorber. What about the upgraded Old Klang Road which is mysteriously reduced to two lanes from four lanes upon reaching the junction of Sri Sentosa? If I'm not wrong, this is because it happens to be at the border of a different district council and therefore the road builder could not complete the road works properly.

I wonder if the Public Works Department is aware of this predicament as every morning drivers have to fight their way from four lanes to two lanes. And what about the highway that is built so dangerously close to houses in Sri Petaling? Samy put his foot down by stating that the highway plans were already decided before the houses were built. So again 'it's not my problem and you should have known better'. I wonder if the government is waiting for an accident to happen eg. a car skidding and landing on the houses which are just below.

My heart goes out to those who have used their lifetime savings to buy a dream home only to be shattered when the people we vote for shut off their ears.

With all these problems, what comes to mind is the question, 'Is there corruption at all levels?' Has the 'commission' paid out affected the amount of tar used? Is Pak Lah serious in wiping out corruption or merely showing that it exists? As we ponder upon these questions, let's not take our eyes of the roads as we might just get a rude shock.