In regards to the rising of toll rates, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan has offered some suggestions on what should motorists do in order to avoid paying tolls.
The Kota Belud MP suggested motorists to wake up earlier to avoid traffic congestion, at the same time the motorists could always look for toll-free roads so that they are able to keep their expenses low without paying for tolls.
He remarked, “If you want to avoid the tolls, just wake up early and use alternative roads.” He continued, “It’s about trading off.”
According to The Rakyat Post, the advice was said in a joking manner. However his remark has received mix comments on social media, and eventually the hashtag #MPKotaBeludAdvice was created and started trending on Twitter.
Most netizens are angry, some actually agreed with Rahman Dahlan’s advice, but of course being Malaysians, we are best at dealing with such statements with sarcasm.
There is a saying that goes, “A friend in need, is a friend indeed.” Twitter user @bongkersz intends to put that saying to good use.
Ask your friend to wait on the other side. You reach the toll, park and drive your friend's car. #MPKotaBeludAdvice https://t.co/Vxh8Haid80
— TuanMasbro Babahmu Turoi Bongkersz (@bonqkersz) November 4, 2015
Most of the tweets, were directed at staying close to your workplace so that travelling distance could be minimised.
https://twitter.com/anthraxxxx/status/661459715545657344
Cari tempat kerja sebelah rumah#MPKotaBeludAdvice
— OG.buyoq (@buyoq) November 3, 2015
Bila penempatan setinggan di dalam ofis kalau tak mampu bayar tol. #MPKotaBeludAdvice
— Siggtanirrajim (@_siggplus) November 3, 2015
Some art enthusiasts decided to draw out Rahman Dahlan’s remark. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Siapa ikut #MPKotaBeludAdvice hari ni?dapat elak tol tak? @mpkotabelud pic.twitter.com/FWZ9r8ytr3
— Ali ? ???? (@alimalek295) November 4, 2015
Berapa ramai ikut #MPKotaBeludAdvice keluaq pagi pagi elak jem dan tol? @mpkotabelud pic.twitter.com/Wfp2E9C33H
— Ariff Eye Ahmad® (@KartunisGandum) November 3, 2015
Then there are some Twitter users who are suggesting different forms of transportation.
"@smellykatemoss: nah.. no toll
but bukan #MPKotaBeludAdvice pic.twitter.com/7Dury9QT19"— muadzam (@muadzamm) November 3, 2015
Tak nak bayar tol beli helikopter. Betol tak? #MPKotaBeludAdvice
— apizudin™ (@mhfzddn) November 3, 2015
kalau tak mampu bayar tol gunalah helikopter mcm pak menteri #mpkotabeludadvice
— bad egg ?? ????? (@cheechoong) November 3, 2015
#MPKotaBeludAdvice tolong pakai kereta kuda atau kereta lembu. Toll free yo & boleh bangun lambat
— saroki (@saroki19) November 3, 2015
To sum this up, we had to include Emmanuel Joseph’s Facebook post on the hashtag because we appreciate creativity and good humour.
Jokes and sarcasm aside, this netizen actually shared the pain and burden that most Malaysians are facing ever since the toll hikes, as well as pointed out how illogical the suggestion is.
@mpkotabelud please read and understand my dear minister, maybe then you will understand #MPKotaBeludAdvice pic.twitter.com/T93qQZhBWP
— Jason T. Nathan (@nathanator321) November 4, 2015
