Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong Khan Lee said surcharges or levies were inevitable around the world when cities and towns experienced increased private car use.
At a press conference at the state assembly lobby today, he said his proposed surcharge would not affect local residents, workers and other permanent residents in the state.
Ong said a form of surcharge was already being levied on non-Penangites in the Penang Bridge toll. For instance, out-of-town cars are charged RM7 while those with specially registered Touch’n’Go cards are charged RM5.60.
“A 20% surcharge is already being paid (by non-Penang vehicles) without question. Now, a levy for outstation cars to enter Penang is one way to justify the abolishment of toll for the two bridges.
“Of course there is the question of maintenance, and that is where the outstation car levy comes in, where the levy can be used to cover maintenance costs and Penangites will continue to ride toll-free.
“If the levy is used to exempt Penangites from the bridge toll, we will fulfil Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto… I am sure if the finance minister had the chance, he would agree to fulfil this promise in the manifesto,” he said.
Ong said he was astounded that some groups were against his proposal when the surcharge would not affect the people of Penang.
He said in order to implement this system, Penang-based vehicles could be installed with radio frequency identification chips or RFID, similar to those used by Touch’n’Go in toll plazas in the Klang Valley.
He said that way, the case of Penang or KL-registered number plates would not be an issue.
Ong, of PKR, said Penang should start looking to Langkawi to be more green. Langkawi, he said, primarily relied on taxis, e-hailing, motorcycles or rental cars to get around.
“I am sure that we will not turn tourists away just because of a levy. Instead, fewer cars will mean better air quality, less traffic congestion and a more comfortable journey for tourists.
“Whoever has been to Medan or Bangkok would know how bad the traffic is there.
“But of course, we need to get more feedback from the public or carry out feasibility studies,” he said.
Ong said more ideas were needed on how to curb single-passenger private vehicles and exemption for tour buses and other public vehicles through the levy system.
“Without proper studies, the car levy will remain just a proposal.”