Not too long ago Samy Vellu said PKR could go to hell when PKR Youth Leaders held a press conference revealing details about the SMART tunnel toll structure, which, among other things, include the starting toll rate of RM2 and raising it subsequently by RM1 every four years after 2009.
Looks like Samy Vellu could be excused for his outburst because he was genuinely upset that PKR could be right about what was supposed to be a state secret! Today he announced that the SMART toll will begin this Friday, with an announcement on the rate in one or two days.
Source: Malaysiakini
When pressed if the toll rate will be reasonable, he insists he can't promise that since the tunnel costs RM1.9bil to build. Hence, I would be very surprised if he pulls a rabbit out of the hat by announcing a less than RM2 toll rate. Even if that is the case, don't expect the concessionaire to tremble in fear because whatever shortfalls will be paid by the government directly from taxpayers' money (as per all the other toll road concession agreements). By the way, since we're on this, we are still waiting for the government to live up to its promise to make public all the toll road concession agreements.
However, the main rationale for the construction of the SMART tunnel was and is to mitigate the devastating impact of flash floods across Kuala Lumpur whenever the Klang River or Gombak River overflow their banks. I am not sure if the storm water diversion "feature" of the tunnel has been put into operation, but the horrible flood in various areas of Kuala Lumpur last night shouldn't have happened, theoretically, if it is.
If it is not in operation, why the delay compared to opening up the tunnel to traffic? If it is, in fact, operating, then last night's flash flood is but one in the series of problems and woes facing the construction industry, especially when related to government projects. Not enough with cracks, falling ceilings, and flooded rooftops, to have a multi-billion project fail to live up to its raison d'etre will be a severe indictment on the utter incompetence and inability of the government to make right decisions and ensure the right people do the right job.
Source: The Star
For the sake of the nation, as well as for the sake of countless of KL motorists who have to face the nightmare of congestion and damaged cars due to the recurring flash floods, the government has to come clean on this matter. Bottom line is this - the SMART tunnel was built to solve the damaging recurrence of flash floods in KL. The tolled road running through it is but a creative method to fund for the construction of the tunnel as well as earn fat profits for the concessionaire from a multi-year concession period. If the tunnel cannot do its work, then the whole reason for the tunnel's existence in the first place would fall like a deck of cards. Not only will taxpayers and motorists be burdened with yet another privatised "toll-road", we would still have to live with the economic consequences of frequent flash floods in KL.
2 comments:
samy would say:" it could have been worst if the smart tunnel is not there, the entire KL would be flooded all the way to the tip of KLCC towers."
HAHAHAHAHA
Thats how I take it when I read all the rubish that comes out from the mouth of our works minister. There are a lot of mishaps and everytime he comes out with answers and statements, wanting more in billions to rectify the problems.
The where in the hell did our former prime ministers pick him from. He plays god or wants to play god and then screws it all up.
Now Pah Lah has to put up with all his rubbish. The people are not naive anymore. It is time we throw this rubbish where it belongs and get someone better to take his place.
This also goes to some of the ministers and MPs who open their mouths without thinking. Take a lesson from our neighbouring Singapore where when mouths are opened, they are very constructive and benefitial to all the citizens.
Come on Pah Lah, its time you start throwing out all the rubbish and get some real good politicians to help you run the government and country.
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