The new Najib Razak administration says 'Rakyat Didahulukan Pencapaian Diutamakan' which sounds very nice but in so far as the owners of old cars are concerned, this slogan is quite laughable.

Owners of cars of more than 15 years old who are mostly pensioners and older folk, very few of whom go onto inter-state highways, now have to endure all sorts of difficulties when renewing their insurance covers and road tax.

It all started when car dealers lobbied the government to come down hard on old cars simply to help them clear up their existing stock of cars due to the economic slowdown.

The government then announced the so-called incentive of a RM5,000 discount if old cars are exchanged for new, not knowing that these people can't even afford a car loan even one of at least RM30,000.

In fact, it is a non-starter because no bank would want to talk to a 55 or a 60-year-old about getting a car loan..

And if someone were to suggest that these pensioners could get a loan by using their children's names and pay slips, I would say ‘Don't be stupid’. because the children themselves are up to their necks in debts.’

It is also a non-starter because many of these older folk would never part with their loyal, old model Volvos, Mercedes-Benzes, Mazdas, Toyotas or Nissans. They only use them to go to the mosque or ‘surau’ or the market or to attend weddings etc not far from their homes.

I don't know why we are being discriminated against despite the fact that these people do look after their cars because they are well aware that repairs and parts are expensive.

Thus very few of these old cars are seen stranded by the roadside whereas I have seen new BMWs and Protona being taken away by tow-trucks or being repaired by mechanics along the highway.

But now, owners of these old cars are being ordered to take their vehicles to Puspakom for a ‘fitness check’ costing RM50 each time. After that, we have to go to specially-appointed insurance company for an insurance cover note to renew our road tax.

So much for ‘Rakyat DiUtamakan’.

Perhaps the government or Bank Negara allowed this new rule for old cars after listening to insurance companies complaining that they suffered big losses on motor insurance due to massive claims involving old cars.

If that is the problem, then the government should order an investigation as to who are the real culprits behind all the massive claims for accidents. I can say with great certainty that it is not the motorists who are always cajoled by workshops and adjusters to sign the claim forms.