Cover image via Political Gags
On Monday, 12 October, the government announced that there will be an increase in toll prices that will be implemented starting today, 15 October
Up to 140% increase in toll rates have caused the rakyat to express their opinions creatively. Think humour, protests and vocal rejections.
With a sharp dose of humour:
Every time an "unfortunate" event befalls Malaysians, we have a tendency to resort to our Photoshop skills and creativity with tongue-in-cheek statements and images
Image via Twitter
"Ministers have said that if you can't afford to pay the toll, then use the roads without tollgates"
Image via Twitter
A special edition of the Touch n' Go card in conjunction with the new toll rates that reads, "Touch, Curse & Go"
Image via Political Gags/ Facebook
Image via Facebook
**Politician with a sense of humour:**
"Toll rates increased, everything will continue to increase if PM Najib Razak doesn't come down(resign). Retweet if you agree"
While most resorted to humour, some decided to "remind" BN of their 13th General Election promise:
![[Trending]: When the toll rates hike up suddenly, Barisan Nasional's transformation program grabs (my) attention.](https://images.says.com/uploads/story_source/source_image/420172/4062.png)
[Trending]: When the toll rates hike up suddenly, Barisan Nasional's transformation program grabs (my) attention.
Image via Twitter
"Kami mendengar masalah anda tentang kos sara hidup" (We are listening to your problems about the rising cost of living)
Image via Twitter
During the 13th general election, as part of Barisan Nasional coalition's campaign, KTM trains were plastered with PM Najib's message that read, "Kami Mendengar, Masalah Anda, Tentang Kos Sara Hidup" (We are listening, about your problems, your cost of living)
"Kami akan kurangkan kadar tol antara bandar secare berperingkat demi kesenangan rakyat Malaysia" (We will reduce the toll rate for the people's convenience)
Image via Twitter
During one of the BN's campaign events, Majlis Pelancaran Aku Janji BN PRU13, PM Najib was quotes as saying, "Kami akan kurangkan kadar tol antara bandar secare berperingkat demi kesenangan rakyat Malaysia" (We will gradually reduce the toll rates for the people's convenience).
With vocal and visible protests. Perhaps until change is implemented?
Rallies and protests are becoming quite common in Malaysia, as opposed to how things were just a decade ago.
Determined to project dissatisfaction with demonstrations, a group of Malaysians, including Puchong MP Gobind Deo, gathered at various toll plazas, yesterday, 14 October, holding placards and banners protesting against the toll hike.
Selangor PAS Youth held their demonstrations mainly at toll booths along the Guthrie Expressway, the Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (Duke), the Kemuning Shah Alam-Highway (LKSA) and the Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (Silk).
"Count Dracula" holding a placard that reads, "BN Is the blood Sucking Vampire" at the one of the protest held yesterday against the toll hike
Image via Malaysiakini
Selangor PAS Youth led protest saw protesters holding placards that read, 'Turunkan Kos Sara Hidup, Bantah Tol Naik" (Reduce the cost of living, we are against the toll hike), "Terima kasih BN" (Thank you, BN) among others
Image via Malaysiakini
With harsh statements of rejection:
"No brain" says UMNO's biggest critic Anina Saadudin, who was sacked from UMNO for filing a USD650 million lawsuit against PM Najib
However, economists stood up for the Malaysian government's move of increasing the toll rates, defending the implementation as one that would not affect the consumer price index greatly
"Suicidal" is what Pakatan Harapan thinks of Putrajaya's sudden move to hike the toll rates
Najib has "robbed" Malaysians of their disposable income, says Parti Amanah Negara's strategy director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad
Meanwhile, DAP's Tony Pua blames the toll hike on the government's move to award highway concessions to crony companies
However, UMNO's blog MyKMU.net, thinks the people are suffering due to former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's development policies
How will the toll hike eat into our monthly expenditure?
A local financial comparison site, [iMoney](https://www.facebook.com/IMoney.my) did the math for Malaysians by calculating the extra amount of money that needs to be forked out with the recent toll hikes.
To make things clearer, they included examples of **items (food, household products) that can be purchased with the same amount of money spent on the toll hikes** in these infographics:
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
Image via iMoney
