Dua Bukit Satu Batang

Like any other Prime Minister, our soon to be Prime Minister would definitely want to set his own style of managing this country. He has his own vision and wants to step away from the shadows of Pak Lah and Tun Dr. Mahathir.

There are many things he can do differently. For a start he can undo some of the mistakes from the past. First he can start with PLUS Highway. I’m not saying it’s a mistake. I think PLUS is one of the most significant legacies from Tun Dr.Mahathir but unfortunately it also come at a cost.

Tun Dr.Mahathir might argue that we must pay for development and nothing comes free of charge. Yes, I agree but the question is, at what cost?

PLUS is no more of a ‘kemudahan’ but more of a ‘kesusahan’. The cost of travelling on a PLUS highway is ridiculously high. The poor and lower middle class have to live outside KL because of expensive property and rental within the city. Most have to travel between Nilai, Seremban and Rawang. But unfortunately the cost to travel to KL is a bane for them.

As a start I would like to suggest the government to buy out PLUS Highway. By controlling the highway, the government has the rights to lower the toll charges to ease our burden. This move will also help to reduce cost of transportation which indirectly will help to lower the price of Malaysian products.

I’m no economist but I believe PLUS Highway can also be the government’ cash cow. Even after lowering the toll rates, the government will still be able to generate profits from it. And they’ll be able to recoup the money spent for the buy -out way before 2020.

If he ever decides to buy over PLUS Highway, maybe he should consider LDP too. At the rate traffic driving thru the highway today, the operator is milking this cash cow to the max. Once they bought the LDP, the government can also milk the cash cow. But they (government) can do better by giving the milk away for the rakyat to share.

I don’t see buying over these 2 highways as a burden to the government. I see it as a strategic investment. You can’t go wrong with PLUS and LDP.

Next, should be the crooked bridge. He should re-start this project (if there is such possibility).

He’s undoing Pak Lah ‘stop work order’. It may look like adding some fine points to Tun Dr.Mahathir’s legacy but I think It’s making things right, doing something for the people.

With these, Najib can start with a mind of its own. He’s making decision for the betterment of the country. Something his predecessor failed to handle.

Najib need to start with a ‘bang’, not with “kerja bersama saya, bukan untuk saya” rhetoric. By taking action it’ll show that Najib mean business. And no other action as big as buying over PLUS Highway and re-start (if possible) crooked bridge.

The rakyat is waiting anxiously. We’re wondering what will be Najib’s first action as a Prime Minister. I sincerely hope Najib won’t cancel the 2nd Penang Bridge like what his predecessor did with the crooked bridge.

Whatever it is, the ball is in Najib’s court. He can choose to sit quietly in the office or immediately start working and making decision for the people. If done correctly and swiftly, the rakyat may show gratitude by giving him ‘2 bukit & 1 batang’.