Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang today announced his intention to form a rainbow coalition involving all parties to oppose the 10 percent toll hike for the North-South Expressway by Projek Lebuhraya Utara Selatan (Plus).

The veteran politician has invited members of Parliament, political parties, trade unions, consumers organisations and NGOs to discuss the toll hike which will begin on Jan 1.

The main focus of the meeting will be setting up the Coalition Against Unfair Toll Increase (Cauti). The meeting will take place at 12 noon on Dec 20 at Committee Room 2 in Parliament.

Lim also proposed that Barisan Nasional MP for Sri Gading Mohamad Aziz be chosen to lead the coalition.

"I have notified and discussed with Barisan Backbenchers' Club chairperson Shahrir Samad and Mohamad Aziz with regard to the Monday meeting to establish Cauti, both of whom are supportive of efforts to put a stop to unfair toll hikes," he said in a statement today.

Lim also extended an invitation to Works Minister S Samy Vellu to attend the meeting and give a full briefing as to why the government has no option but to allow Plus to allow the 10 percent toll hike.

Lopsided cash cow

Various quarters, including the BN and Opposition MPs have objected the hike. Samy Vellu had earlier said that the government was left with no choice but to allow for the increase as it could not afford to pay any subsidy to Plus.

He said that the government would have to fork out RM154 million as compensation to Plus if it doesn't approve the toll increase.

Lim also said that he had requested Plus to defer the toll increase by two months to allow a full and comprehensive study on the implications of such hikes.

"Plus has to respond positively as a responsible corporate citizen in the process to convince the nation as a whole and Parliament in particular that the 40-year NSE concession is not a lopsided cash cow for Plus at the expense of two generations of Malaysian motorists."

Protest in Melaka

In a related development, Lim's party DAP today organised an one-hour protest at the Ayer Keroh toll plaza in Melaka today as part of a series of protest the party is organising against the toll hike.

Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng told malaysiakini that the protest - the second following the one held in Ipoh yesterday - drew a good support from highway users.

"Even the police weren't here to stop us. We will continue with this protest so that the government will realise how unfair the hike is," he said.

"The government's decision to allow Plus to increase the toll only indicates that the government is only interested in the welfare of one company. How about 25 million citizens who are burdened by this?

"This only shows crony capitalism still exists in this country."

He added that the next series of protest will either take place in Seremban or Johor Baru.