It's another 9 years till year 2020 for Malaysia to achieve its 'developed' status. Personally I don't think we will make it but a few years later won't do us much harm. Driving for the past few years and being able to compare the transport system with Singapore and Australia, Malaysia has got one hell of a mountain to climb. Infrastructures are not yet in place and the transport system needs major changes. I'm sure politicians who recently went to visit the Hong Kong MTR would learn a lot and I hope they have done enough of their homework. We think politicians are the best people to take us forward but that is not true. Well, regardless whether they know better or not, here's my 10 pointers to implement to even get a chance for 2020.
10. Road Signs
For a country with resonable living standards, our road signs are below par. Wrong signs, missing signs, broken (incomplete) signs to semi-visible obstructed signs. There has to be changes to this. It's really a shame how motorist have to guess directions at times where signs are supposedly be placed. Some signs are covered by trees and some do not continue showing a destination after some time. There needs to a body to oversee this.
9. Bus Stops
Proper bus stops are lacking in the country and the laws allow buses and taxis to stop as they like which is dangerous for both the motorists and the passengers of these vehicles. There needs to be proper bus stops which are sheltered and safe for users. And there must be rules for proper stopping places for buses for convenience and safety.
8. Taxi System
There has been a recent reform to the taxi system where fares have been reviewed and more taxis and using the meter. The increase in fare was necessary for taxis to continue to operate with rising cost. However, there still will be taxis who are reluctant to use the meter or refuse to take passengers to certain destinations. This is still a huge problem for the taxi system. CVLB has to place certain laws pertaining to this to protect users from unfair behaviour.
7. Local Carmakers
Perodua has outshone Proton in the last few years and this comes to show Proton is even losing out to a local counterpart. The protection given to local carmakers should gradually be lifted to increase the efficiency of these companies. The quality of local cars have barely improved and people are already prepared to fork out extra for a much reliable Japanese car. The motor vehicle industry is a growing one and if they don't improve, they will continue to lose market share and eventually become unprofitable. The country has given the carmakers more than enough support in terms of sales and protectionist policies. All they have to do is make a decent car, which they have yet to.
6. Airport
A world class airport costing billions of dollars and thousands of trees, but it is under-utilised. Although there has been growth in passengers coming through KLIA, there's still big opportunities for more airlines to fly to KLIA. Our neighbours are running at capacity and there more passengers to accommodate, so please do something about it. Budget traveling has emerged in the last few years and LCCT has failed to accommodate the spike in passengers,. Govt has to make sure "KLIA 2" will be large enough to accommodate the growth of AirAsia and the other budget carriers. There must be proper and sufficient personnel, systems and infrastructure to make it work.
5. Port Klang
Singapore has the second most busiest port in the world and every one of those ships still passes Port Klang. Our location is not a disadvantage at all but our personnel has been a letdown. A potential source of large revenue if managed properly. The corruption that is happening is not an issue to discuss here. The location on the Straits of Malacca is unbelievable and we have just gave billion ounces of gold to our neighbours .
4. Learning programs
Malaysian drivers are known to be one of the worst and some blame has to be put on the learning programs. It needs to tougher, stricter and more transparent. Programs today do not create competent drivers on the road and this will deteriorate if not reformed. The only way is to completely overhaul the program and taking developed countries as an example. A safer road can save millions of dollars a year, not mentioning lives.
3. Road conditions
Potholes and damaging surfaces create hazards for driving. This will waste millions of dollars a year on repairs. Starting from major roads, there needs to certain materials laid under the roads to prevent potholes from reoccurring. Patching up pot holes every time they occur will only temporarily solve the problem and money will be spent wastefully every year. Open your eyes govt, why does other countries not have this problem, there must be something different.
2. Enforcement
Having a police officer pull you over is not such a scary or a lesson for many, in fact, it has become a joking topic over dinner conversations. Did you last hear how your friend got away with speeding or using the emergency lane? How much did the person pay? You know what I am talking about. Drivers simply feel they are bulletproof from the authorities because when the time comes they will get away with a slap on the wrist. This problem comes from all the way up to the highest levels of government. Change can only come from the top and this is not something that can happen with little effort.
1. Public transportation
Why are there so many cars on the road? Well, why not take the public transport? Oh yeah, there aren't available in my area or it will take me too long. The public transportation state is in a mess and this is probably what we should be having about 10 years ago. In simpler terms, we are 10 years behind. There should be one company running the service like in most countries and it is closely monitored by govt authorities. Now there are few bus operators overlapping each other. A timetable is unheard of and the information available to the public about transportation is limited. The KTM is a dinosaur,trains break down now and then, the bus services needs a major overhaul and the current level of service is very poor. With the cost of materials going up, it's going to be even harder to improve services.
Implications of good transportation
1) Less cars on the road, less congestion.
2) Less consumption of fuel, less outflow of national income and exposure to rising fuel prices.
3) Improves efficiency of businesses. Higher turnover rates for logistics, lower cost, which affects 99% of businesses. Less time spent on the road, more time spent working, more goods and services produced, higher GDP....
4) Lower expenditure on cars, which lowers national debt.
5) Encourages tourism.
6) Lower expenses on repairs due to accident and road conditions, less outflow unnecessarily, lower premiums on insurance, more money for everyone.
7) Increases the attractiveness of the economy due to efficiency, more investments perhaps.
8) An indication of a developed country?
9) Less money to AP holders , won't that reduce c_ _ _ _ _tion?
10) Less motor vehicles, less pollution.
It doesn't take a genius to know what I just wrote. Politicians are supposingly the most capable people to manage the country, well we all know it's not true at all, but at least do something right for once, for the country.
~deyao~
