(Miri, 10th) Regarding the issue of Miri long-distance bus station charging an additional RM3 service fee per passenger, Sarawak DAP Secretary Alan Ling today sternly pointed out that this fee not only increases the burden on citizens but also highlights the serious negligence and lack of transparency in the city council's management of public facility contracts.
“When long-distance bus companies can arbitrarily charge service fees, and the mayor claims to be powerless due to a 'signed contract,' it raises suspicions about what kind of contract this is. Such a one-sided clause leaves the city council, as the owner, with no supervisory or control rights?”
He questioned if today it's RM3, what if the bus company increases the fee to RM10 or even RM30 in the future, will the mayor also be unable to do anything? “This reasoning is illogical; the city council has a responsibility to safeguard the people's interests, not to be a bystander.”
He emphasized that as a public facility, the charging mechanism of Miri Terminal Bus Station involves the interests of citizens and must be subject to public scrutiny. “If the city council insists the contract is fair, just, and without concealment, it must be transparent and allow Miri citizens to examine it.”
He also reiterated that even if the RM3 fee is necessary for reasonable operation, it should not be directly borne by the passengers. “The city council or the Sarawak government should consider covering the related costs with public funds to reduce the living expenses of the people, rather than transferring the burden to passengers.”
“This is a public issue concerning the vital interests of Miri citizens, and the mayor has the obligation to explain clearly, allowing the public to understand the basis, destination, and supervision mechanism of the fees. If even this cannot be done, how can the city win the trust of its citizens?”
He urged the city council to promptly respond to public concerns, proactively disclose contract details, and establish a supervisory mechanism to ensure that any agreements involving public interests adhere to the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.
“When long-distance bus companies can arbitrarily charge service fees, and the mayor claims to be powerless due to a 'signed contract,' it raises suspicions about what kind of contract this is. Such a one-sided clause leaves the city council, as the owner, with no supervisory or control rights?”
He questioned if today it's RM3, what if the bus company increases the fee to RM10 or even RM30 in the future, will the mayor also be unable to do anything? “This reasoning is illogical; the city council has a responsibility to safeguard the people's interests, not to be a bystander.”
He emphasized that as a public facility, the charging mechanism of Miri Terminal Bus Station involves the interests of citizens and must be subject to public scrutiny. “If the city council insists the contract is fair, just, and without concealment, it must be transparent and allow Miri citizens to examine it.”
He also reiterated that even if the RM3 fee is necessary for reasonable operation, it should not be directly borne by the passengers. “The city council or the Sarawak government should consider covering the related costs with public funds to reduce the living expenses of the people, rather than transferring the burden to passengers.”
“This is a public issue concerning the vital interests of Miri citizens, and the mayor has the obligation to explain clearly, allowing the public to understand the basis, destination, and supervision mechanism of the fees. If even this cannot be done, how can the city win the trust of its citizens?”
He urged the city council to promptly respond to public concerns, proactively disclose contract details, and establish a supervisory mechanism to ensure that any agreements involving public interests adhere to the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.