I refer to Amir Hashim's observation on the 'targetted' toll and the 'bargaining' between the government and the concessionaire ('New highway - who's being taken for a ride?' July 4). Yes, it is always the case that the public is taken for a ride.

I recall clearly when the LDP (Damansara-Puchong highway) was opened, the public objected vehemently to the high toll charges. Later, the government 'intervened' and brought the toll rate down, not before saying that it would have to compensate the concessionaire, etc. The public was also threatened that if they were to have that attitude then there may not be any more new roads.

Today the highways surrounding KL and PJ are jammed at many points, such as SS2 and the notorious Motorola junction, and there is nothing that can be done. Even the U-turn at Kelana Jaya is now the government's problem. So much for our forward planning that we talk so much about.

Meanwhile, the concessionaire whom the government had said would lose money, is generating record profits year after year.

Sometimes we wonder whose side the government is on.