NETIZENS are up in arms over the Government’s plan to impose charges on foreigners using the free GoKL bus in Kuala Lumpur, with many pointing out it is akin to xenophobia.
On Wednesday (Aug 10), Federal Territories Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias reportedly told the Dewan Negara that some 45.2% of GoKL users are foreigners.
As such, he did not rule out the possibility of proposing to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to charge foreigners who use the free bus service in the future, claiming that DBKL can collect RM9.2 mil every month if each foreigner is charged RM1 per ride.
Many on Twitter questioned what was so wrong about foreigners using the service, pointing out it was a good thing that public transport services were being utilised:
Others pointed out the cruel way in which migrant workers are used for hard labour, but who are treated like “scum” whenever they enjoy the country’s conveniences:
“Diversion tactic”
A few netizens claimed the Government was “diverting people’s attention” by painting foreigners as “villains” for using its public transport services:
Others said allowing foreigners to use the free bus service was the “least we could do” for all the work they put in:
Some said it was just xenophobic for the Government to propose such a suggestion, and further questioned the impact on GoKL’s ridership with such a plan in place:
One user said the Government should focus on figuring out how to increase public transport adoption for all:
He said this in response to Jalaluddin’s remark that locals do not use public transport in the capital because of its “unsatisfactory” first and last mile connectivity and since it is faster to drive.
This too was criticised by netizens who pointed out that Kuala Lumpur was built as a car-centric city and that most locals drive. — Aug 14, 2022
Main photo credit: Bernama
