Lorry group to raise charges

No other way to cover our costs, says Pahang association

KUANTAN: The Pahang Tipper Lorry Owners Association is going ahead with its proposal to increase transportation fees by 10% to 15% next month to cope with rising costs.

Its chairman Datuk Jack How said it was inevitable and a long time coming following the recent rationalisation of fuel subsidies.

“We have to do it. Otherwise, there will be no way we can cover the prices of tyres, engine oil, batteries and spare parts. Right now, we are absorbing the costs and the burden

Right now, we are absorbing the costs and the burden is heavier with the reduction of diesel subsidy. — DATUK JACK HOW

is even heavier with the reduction of diesel subsidy,” he said yesterday.

This came despite the Malaysia Competition Commission’s (MyCC) order to the Pan-Malaysia Lorry Owners Association (PMLOA) to revoke its decision to increase its transportation charges by 15%.

The directive follows the warning given earlier by the MyCC to associations not to facilitate anti-competitive behaviour, especially price fixing.

How denied the move was price fixing but rather they were seeking a fair price.

He added that the move could also curb drivers from overloading their lorries to cut costs.

In GEORGE TOWN, the Federation of Malaysian School Bus Drivers Association chairman Tan Chui Leng said bus fares would be increased by up to 40% next year unless the Government raised fuel subsidy.

“Despite the current subsidy, the petrol price has increased from RM1.48 per litre to RM1.68 per litre. It is not our wish to burden the parents but the bus drivers are facing difficulties on their end also,” he said, adding that the association recently submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak through his political secretary Wong Nai Chee requesting for additional fuel subsidy.