KUALA LUMPUR – Anthony Loke Siew Fook believes his penchant for going to the ground to understand the full plight of public transport users sets him apart from his successor and current Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.
The DAP secretary-general said his approach of putting himself in the common citizens’ shoes meant he was more cognisant of what the general public have to go through.
This allowed him and the then Pakatan Harapan (PH) government to draw up better policies for the people, he said.
“The difference between the current minister and the PH minister, which was me, is that I don’t just listen (to complaints) but I go down to experience our public transportation system.
“I took the mass rapid transit without informing my officers, and took a look for myself the condition of our ticketing counters, escalators and train coaches, including during peak hours when people are packed like sardines.
“That is the approach we (PH ministers) use to truly understand the full situation, not just sit in Putrajaya,” he said during his speech at PKR’s Sidang Nadi Rakyat event today.
Loke also noted that unlike cabinet members today who enjoy the full benefit of having police outriders, the privilege was only given to the prime minister, deputy prime minister as well as the defence and home ministers during PH’s era.
Drawing further comparisons, the Seremban MP noted how the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) under PH, chaired by then deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, had convened every month to discuss issues affecting the rakyat, effectively allowing them to take the necessary interventions.
“Today, the council doesn’t appear to be functioning, because there is no deputy prime minister. During our time, we had a clear structure. The deputy prime minister chairs Naccol and several other cabinet committees, and all ministers were present.”
Recognising the fact that cost of transportation makes up about 20% of household spendings, Loke said PH had then introduced the monthly public transportation pass to ease the people’s burden, among several initiatives.
Another measure was to offer a further 20% discount to KTM Komuter users, he pointed out, all of which were discussed and agreed upon by Naccol.
“We also used to have a great and competent domestic trade and consumer affairs minister (Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail). Prices of chickens and eggs had never been an issue like today.
“This is because he would report to the cabinet every month and take immediate measures before a price hike even happens.”
Despite all these, Loke lamented how certain parties had always pinned the blame on DAP for any issues that arose during PH’s time in government.
“Everything is always DAP’s fault. When there is a case of drink driving, DAP’s fault. Just two days ago a similar case happened, but it was not an issue, although it was previously.
“All because the minister (then) was from DAP. Anything wrong in this country is DAP’s fault,” he said in jest. – The Vibes, July 2, 2022
