> PM asks for a review of toll rate increase

In a surprising turnaround the prime minister has called for his Cabinet to review the new toll rates announced by his government today for five major highways.

Datuk Seri Abdulah Badawi’s remarks will raise the spectre of another flip-flop by the government, and suggests the Barisan National (BN) government has one eye on the up coming by elections.

He said the Cabinet should consider other methods to defer the toll hike as the current economic conditions were “not a good time.”

Just today, Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed announced toll rates will go up at five major highways from March 1.

The government's announcement has already drawn sharp criticism from the Pakatan Rakyat, and is not likely to be received kindly by voters bracing themselves for the full impact of a global recession.  

( An extract from The Malaysian Insider ).