More than 14,000 signatures obtained through a bilingual online petition to protest the Jan 1 toll hike were delivered to the works ministry today.

The DAP-led petition, in English and Bahasa Malaysia, calls for a full review of privatisation concession agreements which has over-burdened road users.

Delivering the petition today, DAP Selangor secretary Lau Weng San said the number of signatories was higher than anticipated. The campaign, which began on Dec 23, garnered 14,558 signatures, of which more than 12,000 were for the English version.

"I think the response has been overwhelming. It shows the increasing unhappiness and disagreement with the toll hike among Klang Valley residents," said Lau after handing over a printout of the 500-page petition this morning.

"Even government servants and police officers are affected. The government should not treat it as voices of a small minority, but should take to take heed and begin a process to resolve this."

He said the ministry should commit to carrying out public consultations before entering into any highway construction contract and to carry out feasibility studies on the highways.

"Roads are no longer provided by the government, (now) you have to pay for it. We are afraid that the day may come where you have to fork out money the moment you step out of your house," he added.

Works Minister S Samy Vellu was at the weekly cabinet meeting when the delegation called at his office. His press secretary Mogana Devan and private secretary E Sivabalan accepted the documents on his behalf.

DAP committee member Peter Tan, Selangor chairperson Ean Yong Hian Wah and Bukit Gasing branch vice-chairperson Daniel Chong were also present.

The five highways affected are the Guthrie Corridor Expressway, Shah Alam Highway, Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway and Cheras-Kajang Highway.

Toll charges have been increased by 20 to 60 percent, sparking several protests by opposition parties and consumer groups.

'Nightmare for users'

The petition described the hike as no different from "highway robbery in broad daylight which sells out the rights of motorists, consumers and ordinary Malaysians".

"Every day, thousands of users of the highways often endure congestion at toll plazas, which is a nightmare for motorists," it reads.

"It is outrageous that motorists in the Klang Valley have to pay increased toll rates when there are in fact more traffic jams, poorer services and deterioration of highways."

The petition suggests that it would be more economically feasible for the government to buy back the highways at cost.

"It would not only save the highway operators from going bankrupt, but also ensure a reasonable toll rate...as well as good service that is accountable to everyone (instead of continuously) compensating the concessionaires (in non-transparent manner)."

In September 2004, Samy Vellu said the government had paid RM 1.04 billion in compensation to highway concessionaires over a five-year period from 1999.

The most recent toll hike has led to protests by various groups, the largest of which saw thousands gathering at the LDP toll plaza earlier this month.