Penang rep defends suggestion to charge outstation cars

Looi Sue-Chern Looi Sue-Chern Updated 7 years ago · Published on 15 Nov 2018 3:15PM · 3 Comments

Jason Ong Khan Lee says the levy imposed on outstation drivers could be used to maintain Penang's bridges. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 15, 2018.

KEBUN Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong Khan Lee has defended his suggestion that the state should charge outstation vehicles for entering Penang.

He said the move might even help Pakatan Harapan fulfil its 14th general election pledge to abolish toll payments for all motorists using the two Penang bridges, not just for motorcyclists.

He said the levy imposed on outstation drivers could be used to maintain the bridges.

“If we want to fulfil that promise, the government has to find other sources to pay for maintenance.

“This car levy on outstation drivers is the next step,” he told a press conference at the state legislative assembly building today.

The elected rep from PKR made the suggestion when debating the Penang 2019 budget speech on Tuesday, which attracted much debate and comments on social media.

Although he was criticised by many, Ong said he welcomed the views, saying that as a government backbencher, he has to offer ideas for the state to consider.

He said he did not understand why locals objected when the levy would only affect people from outside the state.

“People who are from Penang and working in Penang can be exempted, including those whose car registration plates don’t start with ‘P’.

“I am sure we won’t turn away tourists just because of a levy. Having less cars will mean better air quality, less traffic jams and a more comfortable visit for tourists.

“People who have been to Bangkok and Medan will know,” he said, citing cities with major congestion problems.

On how to make his idea work, Ong said with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology, cars could have stickers on their windscreens or bumpers that contained their registration information.

This would help in identifying which cars to charge, he said.

Ong, who had earlier also argued that the move could help tackle congestion problems in the state, said that there was a serious need to reduce the number of cars in Penang.

“Penang is getting close to more than a million vehicles. Don’t tell me there is no need to cut down the number of vehicles coming to Penang island.

“Building more roads may not solve the problem. The island is only so big.

“The levy is a complimentary move that may help encourage people to park and take public transport,” he said, adding that other countries have also introduced levies to tackle traffic congestion, like Singapore and China.

Ong, however, said feasibility studies would be needed to see if his idea could be implemented.

“Without proper studies, this levy proposal will remain just a suggestion.” – November 15, 2018.

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Comments

  • He actually has a point. I'd agree with him, although am not from Penang but I wouldnt mind paying the levy if I was visiting Penang.

    Posted 7 years ago by Gerald Lau · Reply

  • PH manifesto was to abolish tolls. Yet we have newbie who is making grand entrance with contradictory actions. What's the difference when you ask for tolls on the bridge to be waved and why not too in the city as the logic does not apply. There will be on rush of cars with free entrance into Penang or maybe more and without proper facilities in Penang to accomodate the transport where doe it leaves you on your bright ideas of to improve the traffic congestions. Literally you are just diverting the shitting in the mouth rather than your back oriffice. Come lah think of something better?? Go and work on a long term plan to improve the traffic. If you have suggested metro at the mainland to transport the local tourist in by proving ample free parking of their vehicles , I might at least wake up to listen to you . Think something out of norm. !!!! Do not just speak and emulate other countries without realising one own local capabilities. Bunch of nincompoops.!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • If Jason Ong has not realised his blunder by now, he has no business being an elected people's representative because even a schoolboy can tell you it will be not be able to carry out his crazy idea. What more he seems stupid enough not to consider the possibility of other states imposing similar charges on Penang registered cars in other states. How stubbornly silly can a human being be?

    Posted 7 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply