Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad’s (MRCB) intention to cash in on Malaysian migrants earning wages in Singapore has prompted Senai State Assemblywoman Wong Shu Qi to question whether MRCB was “collecting tax” from those who otherwise don’t pay tax in Malaysia.

Wong Shu Qi questioned whether MRCB, on behalf of the government is attempting to “collect tax” from Malaysian migrant workers in Singapore, referring to the Eastern Disposal Link (EDL) toll charge by concessionaire MRCB.

In an attempt to provide a basis for the exorbitant toll price, MRCB Group Chief Operating Officer Imram Salim said that Malaysian migrant workers are not paying tax in Malaysia despite earning a high monthly income in Singapore.

He sees these group of Malaysians as people who use highways for free, said the Senai State Assemblywoman who urged the government to clarify if MRCB was “collecting tax on behalf of BN”.

She also reiterated her call to make the concession agreement public as the the acquisition cost stated by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Abdul Wahid Omar was different from the amount mentioned by Ismail Mohd Salleh, who is the Director-General of Malaysian Highway Authority. While Ismail had said yesterday that it cost RM 2.13 billion, while Abdul Wahid had said last week that the cost was RM 1.7 billion.

“Malaysians are entitled to know which one is the real number and what is the agreement between MRCB and BN government written in the contract,” Wong demanded that the government clear the air of confusion regarding contradicting information given to the public.

Responding to the Malaysian Highway Authority’s argument that 86 percent of cars using the Johor Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex are vehicles registered in Singapore, Wong highlighted that the remaining 8000 Malaysia-registered vehicles that would commute using the CIQ could be mainly local businesses transporters. She explained that the impact of the toll hike would be felt by the logistic companies and local businesses that export agricultural products, and daily groceries.

“The situation is very clear that BN government is robbing money away from people’s pockets just to please their cronies again,” she concluded. -The Rocket