Yellowpost : 15 - 21 February 2008

Statement by Deputy Prime Minister 

The Deputy Prime Minister mentioned in media that, “In developed countries, 60 percent of city dwellers use the public transport system. But here, we hardly have 20 percent using public transport.”

Interview with Datuk Marimuthu  Nadason (Datuk M), President of FOMCA and En Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of FOMCA on the solution towards reducing traffic congestion and problems in transportation sector in the nation.

Bernama: Datuk, what is your opinion on the statement by Deputy Prime Minister?

Datuk M: FOMCA totally agrees to the statement by Deputy Prime Minister which resembles Malaysian habit. In a recent study done by the Environment Desk of FOMCA, in 1000 respondents that were interviewed, only 25% uses public transport and most of them aspired to have the own car soon.

Bernama: In your perception Datuk, what causes the lack in the use of public transport?

Datuk M: There are two important factors; firstly, service by the operators is unsatisfactory and unpredictable travel time. Secondly, the comfort of driving your own to your destination and with the facilities for owning own car made easier, it is out of control.

Bernama: How can the government address this issue?

Datuk M: FOMCA suggests that a National Transportation Policy to be developed. This will help to outline the way forward for transportation industry. In addition to that, a National Transportation Action Plan should be derived. The plan must take into consideration of issues relating to fuel, technology, human resource, maintenance, and population growth. Stakeholder participation must be increased to ensure an integrated policy and plan to be mounted.

Bernama: How do we solve this problem?

Datuk M: The first step is to refer to our neighbouring country, Singapore and Japan. Even though Singapore is a small nation, population density has cause a dynamic change in their transport system. All destinations in Singapore can be reached through public transport. Japan will be an ideal scenario for Malaysia; it is a big country and a huge portion of the Japanese use public transport.

Bernama: What is the method proposed by FOMCA?

Datuk M: FOMCA propose small clusters of transportation service to be formed in cities and towns. These clusters can be linked through a national transportation network. Through this we can create an Integrated Transportation System.

Bernama: What do you think the response from the consumers will be towards the Integrated Transportation System?

Datuk M: If the consumers can choose an efficient and fast service, a huge number of them would not shift to cities and town just to suit their need to travel to workplace. They rather travel to work like in Japan. The traffic congestion in towns will be able to be reduced periodically.

Bernama: What will the impact to the fast growing economy Datuk?

Datuk M: We are confident that a balanced economic growth can be observed. The migration of rural community to towns and cities has weakened the economic strength of rural areas. So, an integrated transportation system would contribute to the balanced economic growth in all areas.

Bernama: What will the reaction from the operators in transportation sector, Datuk?

Datuk M: Monopoly in transportation cannot take place.  FOMCA’s suggestion is clearly indicating the right of choice to consumers in one integrated system. This will increase a positive competition among the operators and further enhance the national transportation sectors.

Bernama: How will the impact to environment be?

Datuk M: According to Department of Environment, transportation sector is one of the major contributors to the air pollution. If, we increase the public transportation usage to 60%, vehicles in the roads will reduce dramatically. This will eventually reduce the polluting activities from this sector.

Bernama: Datuk, would you like to add more?

 Datuk M: Lastly, we hope that stakeholder participation is improved in planning and implementation of integrated transportation system. This is because the inputs given can be used for the benefit of all.