DESPITE posting an apology and retracting his social media posts on ACE market-listed radio frequency identification (RFID) specialist SMTrack Bhd, activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin said he stood by his action that the RFID system “has been problematic to the masses”.
“And I insist that TNG Digital Sdn Bhd to tell us who was involved in supplying the RFID stickers which was so troublesome,” Badrul who is popularly known as Chegubard pointed out in a Facebook posting.
“The supplier raked in exorbitant profits at the preliminary stage alone with a RM1 sticker being sold at nearly RM40.”
SMTrack has dismissed its involvement in the RFID project implemented by expressway concessionaire Plus Malaysia Bhd at 83 toll plazas along the North-South Expressway (NSE)
Following accusations that SMTrack was involved in the project, the company had dismissed such claims outright and even offered cash reward of USS10,000 to anyone who could provide them with details of those levelling unsubstantiated accusations against them.
There have been hiccups under the RFID system that came into effect on Jan 17 at toll plazas between Juru and Skudai on the NSE. As a result, there had been severe traffic congestion as many motorists failed to make their toll payments via the system. The RFID system is supplied by Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd (TnG).
Both the Government and PLUS received brickbats following the matter with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob stepping in and said motorists should be given the option to continue using their TnG cards or SmartTAGs.
Apart from enraging SMTrack with his accusation, tycoon Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew also threatened to file a legal suit against Badrul for smearing his reputation by alleging that he was involved in the RFID deal.
On that note, Badrul said he had always been opposed to tolled highway projects as he was a firm believer that it was the Government’s duty to provide the best infrastructure to the public for free given it they are built using taxpayers’ funds anyway.
“I’m also opposed to the e-wallet system being used at highways as it reduces employment opportunities to the people and only serves to enrich the capitalist class even further,” he remarked.
“Essentially, it’s a ‘money game’ where companies siphoned off people’s money beforehand. While the capitalists get richer, people are burdened with additional costs.” – Feb 2, 2022.
