Vocal backbencher Mohamad Aziz (BN-Seri Gading) has taken the unlikely step of breaking ranks with the government, also claiming he has the support of unidentified ‘others’ in Barisan Nasional.

Known more for backing BN to the hilt in the Dewan Rakyat, he has called for retraction of the Land Public Transport Bill which was tabled on Monday for debate.

In particular, he objected to the proposed imposition of a congestion charge on road users in entering areas gazetted as ‘traffic congestion zones’.

mohamad aziz sri gading mp "If they enter the congested area they have to pay a fine. If they attempt to evade the fine they may be summoned (and fined) RM2,000 or imprisoned. What (kind of) Bill is this?

“Why is this necessary at a time when it should be rakyat didahulukan (‘people first’, a pledge in the 1Malaysia slogan)? This is a Bill which will cause trouble for the rakyat . If we trouble the rakyat , the rakyat will trouble the government - get what I mean?"

"Think about it. I urge the government to please retract this Bill. Please!”

He questioned the rationale of the congestion charge, which he sees as a money-making scheme for the government.

"Why must we impose the charge? Is it just to add to government coffers? If there is no ‘congestion charge’, will the government go bankrupt?

Mohamad also hinted that he is not the only dissenting voice among the backbenchers.

"I asked my friends here in Parliament about this - should we vote ‘yes’?

bung mokhtar parliament 080708 02 They said, ‘No, we should not, because we represent the rakyat, and we don't want to trouble the r akyat ’. But they also said ‘If the government pressure us to vote yes, what can we do?’...”

Supporting him was no less than Backbenchers Club deputy chairperson Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan, left ), another firebrand in the BN force in Parliament.

"The authorities given the mandate (to enforce the law) should plan on ways to resolve congestion, like using (financial) allocations to build tunnels, as in developed countries,” he said.

“They should not tax those who enter congestion zones or imprison them. How big are our prisons to (enable this form of action to be taken)?”

‘Political capital’

In a rare show of bipartisan support, Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) - often Mohamad's nemesis in parliamentary debate - recorded her support for his stance.

fong po kuan "Thank you, it is rarely that I support my kekanda (elder brother). But I support you in asking the government to retract this Bill."

Appearing slightly taken aback, Mohammad was nevertheless all smiles in expressing appreciation of her support.

"I also very rarely support adinda (younger sister) Batu Gajah, but since we both are fighting for the rights of the rakyat , we agree on this."

Mohamad also warned the government that the Bill may become political capital for the opposition in the Hulu Selangor by-election to be held on April 25.

"In Hulu Selangor they can be putar belit (twist and turn) this easily, they can manipulate the issue and it will affect BN which is going all out to win the seat."

traffic jams traffic congestion The proposed law would allows the prime minister to designate areas as ‘congested traffic zones’ and charge a fee for vehicles passing through.

It is not stated in the Bill how the charges will be collected but a clause was included to allow the prime minister to appoint agents to collect the fee and decide on rates.

The premier would be empowered to change any details at will, with regard to the implementation of the law, including the definition congested areas, charges and collection agents.