If MCA elected representatives fail to solve the toll price hike issue, they will face the consequences in the next general elections, warned a MCA division leader.

The leader, who requested anonymity, said grassroots members are dissatisfied with the party representatives' silence on this issue.

"They say they have the solutions. If we make noise now, they will accuse us of creating trouble for them. If they cannot solve the problems, they will face the consequences in the next election," he added.

The division leader was responding to MCA president Ong Ka Ting's decision to permit party members to participate in anti-toll price hike protests.

He noted that the growing disgruntlement among voters in the Klang valley can threaten MCA constituencies during the next polls.

He said the constituencies expected to be affected are the Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary seat and two state assembly seats in the area - Kampung Tunku and Damansara Utama.

Yesterday, Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau quoted Ong as saying that MCA members will not be prevented from raising the grouses of the people.

He was commenting on the anti-toll price hike protest organised by the MCA Puchong Youth division on Dec 31.

Not our way

Despite the green light, MCA divisions are not expected to take to the streets.

Subang division chief Lee Wei Kiat said although they do not agree with the hike, protests are not the way to express their views.

"We will reflect them (the views) through MCA parliamentarians, state assemblypersons and via the party internal channels," he added.

Asked about the demonstration staged by the Puchong division, he said the objective was the same but the division chose a different avenue.

"We need different channels to express our views therefore we respect their way of doing so. It is the democratic right of party members to express their views," he said.

"We will not stop them from participating in public protests," he added when asked if his division will prohibit members from joining such protests.

The MCA president's remark was welcomed by Puchong Youth division chief Theng Book.

"This shows that our president understands the public's feelings. The people's interest should always be given priority," he said when contacted.

However, the MCA leader ruled out the possibility of working with the opposition. "Although the aim is similar, the approaches we use are different," he said.

'Political gimmick'

Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) publicity chief Tian Chua dismissed the MCA president's remark as a mere 'political gimmick'.

"We welcome MCA members to join our demonstrations as ordinary citizens but as the nation's second largest ruling party, MCA should convey the people's message in the cabinet," he said.

According to news reports, Ong said MCA ministers raised the issue in cabinet and this led the government to reduce the new toll rate from RM2.10 to RM1.60 for Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP).

Tian remained unconvinced. He argued that the government still has to use taxpayers money to compensate the same amount to toll concessionaires according to the concession agreement.

According to a purported copy of the concession agreement between the operator of LDP and the government, the latter has to compensate the concessionaire if it wants to reduce the toll price hike irrespective of whether the company is reaping profits or making losses.

On Dec 14, the government announced that the toll rates for five highways - LDP, Shah Alam Highway, Cheras-Kajang Highway, Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway and Guthrie Corridor Expressway - will rise between 20 to 60 percent effective Jan 1.

The move elicited strong reactions from various groups. On Sunday, thousands gathered outside the Sunway Pyramid shopping mall to protest against the hike.