I refer to the latter from Petrol levy another blunder . The operative word is 'another'. The other pressing issues that needs to be addressed if Johor Baru is serious about earning the tourist and investor ringgit is the security situation.

Johor Baru is, sadly, fast becoming a lawless place. Snatch robberies, armed robberies, house breakings, car thefts, violence, road rage and other forms of crime are featured in the local media every week. We have no idea how many of these cases have been solved as the police do not seem to be interested in releasing such information.

They would do well to do this to reassure the public as well as to uplift their image. Unfortunately, they seem more interested in telling the public how efficient they are in reducing the backlog of uncollected traffic fines. It seems their priority is a little misplaced.

The administration of JB seems to be lacking a holistic strategy and tends to react to problems as and when they arise. With the solution they put in place to contain one problem, they create another. I urge the the menteri besar and his team not to tackle problems on a piecemeal basis. Instead consider the priorities of all the problems and resolve them with the best interest of the majority of the residents.

Creating a safe environment should be the top priority as it will benefit the locals directly as well as indirectly through the creation of jobs related to tourism and foreign investment. Collecting more petrol ringgit or traffic fines or raising the toll fees at the causeway will not have a spillover effect or multiplier benefits on the economy. On the contrary, they will be perceived by investors as short-sighted policies and, by extension, a short-sighted administration.

As a visitor to and investor in Johor, I am keen to see the state succeed in expanding its economy. The precursor to this is making the place safe for both locals and foreigners.