Our Pakatan Rakyat seems to be only interested in grandstanding in high-profile issues like Sodomy II and the Palestinian aid flotilla. It keeps magnificently quiet over issues that cause pain and loss to the people.

Recently, the newspapers reported that there will be toll hikes soon along with the plan to withdraw subsidies; and the Road Transport Department (RTD) is also proposing to increase driving school fees and to make drivers holding probationary driving licences sit for a driving test again after their two-year probationary period is over.

These moves will cause great suffering, inconvenience and loss to the public especially those plans being proposed by the RTD. What is the rationale behind requiring ‘P’ driving licence holders to take another test after their probationary period is over?

What evidence can the RTD adduce to support this absurd plan? If there are any supporting statistics, please let the public know. Does the RTD mean that for two years these drivers have been a menace on the roads and after two years of driving experience they are considered learner drivers again?

If this is what the RTD thinks then its director-general and his men should immediately resign as it is an admission that the present driving test is a failure and drivers have been a danger on the roads for two years. If the current test is not failure then the plan to make drivers sit for another test after two years is a total absurdity.

Perhaps the actual reason is that the RTD wants to enable its men to rake in more through corruption or maybe someone high up in the RTD is working hand-in-glove with driving schools to fleece the public. Or maybe someone there is planning for his retirement with these moves to make money for his company.

What next? I suggest that the RTD require all drivers, regardless of age, to sit for a test every two years to ‘refresh’ their skills. This is an even better way to ensure that the driving schools and corrupt RTD men will laugh all their way to the bank.

These are the latest in the list of bullying of motorists by the government agencies. Among the others are the campaign against older cars and the changes to third-party accident claims. Very soon, the import of spare parts will also be banned and motorists will be forced to buy expensive parts for their cars. Very soon too tolls and petrol prices will be going up for sure.

All this will make the public especially motorists suffer greatly and their anger will show up in their political allegiance. They will repay whoever makes them suffer through their votes.

The opposition parties should take heed. Being the opposition is more than just fighting for justice for Anwar Ibrahim or the Palestinians; it means fighting for justice and for the protection of all Malaysians.