I refer to recent reports on the congestion charges that DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) is proposing to charge drivers of single occupant vehicles.

This is not a bad idea on its own but unlike many other metropolitan city areas, the public transport system in KL does not come under the purview of DBKL since the city hall have no say or control over public transportation.

Moreover, many cars in KL are driven by hired drivers, ferrying their mostly single occupant around town. It would be unfair not to charge these vehicles when they are the ones who most probably be causing, or adding to, the congestion by waiting or parking haphazardly in front of buildings or by the roadside, causing traffic to snarl up for miles.

The police and enforcement personnel rarely summon these vehicles - they merely ask them to move on, but the damage is already done by then.

I would suggest that the city traffic police and DBKL enforcement authorities must show zero tolerance to these recalcitrant hired drivers and summon them, regardless if there is a person in the car or not as only then can we have smooth traffic flow in the city.

Just drive by many city roads, such as Jalan Ampang, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Pahang, Jalan Maarof, and one can see massive snarl up caused by idling cars with hired drivers waiting for their bosses.

Please sort these out before even thinking of congestion charges as although the number of drivers may actually drop, the congestion may be the same, if not worse, as these selfish drivers would have more space to block other cars. Most times, it is also government vehicles including DBKL lorries and Pajeros that are haphazardly parked and blocking the rest of us.