It’s amazing how the Government and the Press can spin bad news into good news. The latest being “New toll rates to reflect consumer satisfaction.”

It is presumed that consumers would be willing to pay a higher toll rate because the highways will be widened, and hence consumers will enjoy a smoother journey. As far as I know, along the whole stretch of the PLUS North-South Expressway, there are only a few stretches that are congested and in need of adding more lanes. No doubt consumers who ply these stretches will be satisfied. But what about the other millions of consumers who DO NOT ply these stretches? These other consumers are already enjoying smooth rides, and an increase in toll rates will only mean they have to fork out more money. Where’s the satisfaction in that?

Another example, recently the price of sugar has been increased by 20 sen a kg. And the media keeps publishing positive views on this move. Here are two of the articles. “Withdraw sugar subsidy” and “Weaning off subsidy mentality“. But where are the voices of the people ever published? I haven’t read in any media about the consumer complaining of the exorbitant price increase of drinks at restaurants.

Somehow, I’m starting to feel that the Government is using the print media to influence the public to accept and embrace the Government’s decisions and policies.