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Former PM wants to negotiate. What about the current PM?

JEFF OOI says: The correct term is to "renegotiate". For the case of LDP, the negotiation was accomplished in 1996 when the agreement was signed.

I believe that even if a renegotiation take place, the rakyat will have to bear the current toll hike for some time since I doubt the deal could be finished as soon as possible to minimize our burden.

JEFF OOI says: perhaps, it isn't too late to start somewhere at some point than none at all.

renegotiate? can it be done? i hope so

In my opinion, the best option for the government to buy it over from the concessionaires. This should not be difficult since the majority share holders are either GLCs or those well connected aristocrats.

Then the government can operate it in a fair manner, ie toll charges should correlate with 1) maintenance cost 2) payment to the financial institutions 3) provisions for future major repair or upgrading works and etc.

I disagree with renegotiation to maintain old rates and prolonging the concession period like what they have done for the N-S Highway. Part of the deal was to abolish the Senai-JB toll. Why should people living in Perlis should subsidise for that?

Really renegotiate the toll agreements ? Nah...won't happen with the likes of Mr. Samy around.

The privatised toll agreements were primarily to create a class of economic rentiers based on having the right political connections. They have virtually guaranteed profits, so these are not real businessmen, just cronies.

And TDM was instrumental in creating this system, AAB is guilty of perpetuating it.

Going back to the economic rationale for profit. A real businessman has a right to make a reasonable profit in return for investing his capital, time and effort. He may make a profit, then again he may lose some or all of his capital because it is possible the business might not succeed. Anyone who has risked spending his money in return for some gains which may or may not happen will understand this.

These toll operators have guaranteed returns, guaranteed price hikes per timetable, all locked in advance. License to print money, eh.

Why can't the government just pass an Act to review all contract/agreement involving tax payers money or which affects the public. Since we have on record from the former finance minister and ex prime ministers that something was not right with the agreements than it should allow rhe agreements to be rescinded without compensation. It can be done. And if BN dominated government really want to reduce the toll or even remove the toll this is the right thing to do.

Can Mr Clean do it?

Of course there can be a re-negotiation on the terms. And it depends on the rakyat whether we voice out loud enough. We have been cowed for so long that we really need to think, be aware and partipant in governing the country. TDM should reveal more the spirit of the contract at the time of the first negotiation.

See who is talking now? When in government such thing as renegotiate or flaw never cross him mind. Is it when you get older you become wiser or something else???

Oh Bangau, oh bangau,
Kenapa kau kutu UMNO?
Ngapa tidak, Ngapa tidak,
Duit limpah, limpah

First things first. Demand ALL concession agreements (IPP, roads, hospital services, hologram verifications etc etc) to be declassified as official secrets. Publish the key terms for the rakyat to review. Given that Tun has admitted there could be errors and incompetence during his time, the present administration must set up a non-partisan review committee made up of people with appropriate qualifications who is answerable to the parliament to review all contracts to ensure that the rakyat's interests are protected. If a case is found that all concession contracts are generally burdensome to the rakyat with excessive profits possibly accruing to the concessionaires, then we should be talking about a broad based solution based on legislation. I suggest enacting a law based on The Renegotiation Act of 1951 and at the same time impose a Tax On Excessive Profits on Government Contracts. Concessionaires who are aggrieved by decisions made under any of these legislation can seek judicial review of the decision. (Separation of powers concept at work here)

All review and renegotiation process must be made transparent. Otherwise who can guarantee the renegotiation is not again another act of stupidity (eg in return of lower tolls, govt agree to extend the concession period or reduce the concessionaires'obligations)?

But, will the BN government do this? A government who really cares for the people and the future of this country would.

pardon for the spam !

to-date, I have already been *broked* by the tolls that troll the road-users with bottlenecks after the toll notwithstanding the long queue to endure owing to the slow-change of $$$ provided by the toll cashier ...

I used to pay RM1 from LDP Kepong and RM1 from Sunway and altogether IT USED TO BE RM4 per day AT LEAST ... now I'm paying at least RM6.40 per day and it is the sum for 30 days = RM192 compared to RM120. I've already cut down on my lifestyle from buying newspapers daily and now have to REFRAIN from RM0.50 chinese tea ice daily which should gives me a saving of RM15 per month by me drinking from tap water/wash basins already

Suggestions PLEASE !

Hey guys,
Just take note where all this is leading to. If BN were to drag this till just prior to GE, then lower the toll, would you all vote for BN again? It seems like a possibility. What do you think, Jeff?

It's easy. A case of Thesis vs. Anti-Thesis. In this case, Government/Toll Concessionaires (Anti-Thesis) raise the price of tolls. Then someone from BN (Thesis) will champion the cause of the rakyat and ask the Government to lower the tolls. Of course, this person will instantly become a "hero" in the eyes of ordinary rakyat, once the Government/Toll Concessionaire budged. Hence, everyone will happily vote for BN, yet again, i.e. giving them, yet another 5 years to plunder the state coffer. Good theory? It seems possible. Just look at what MCA did a couple of weeks back.

Strange, the government is elected by the rakyat, yet deals can be classified as CLASSIFIED not for public view.
Who is rakyat voting and for what?

I have a very good suggestion for BN.

Why not apply OSA to the next GE vote result?? Then no need bribe voters so troublesome lah