PJ MP ditches car for bus to Parliament
SYDI ALIF20 Feb 2023 12:51pm
Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung riding public transport to Parliament. - Facebook
In a Facebook post, Lee shared how he had completed his trip from home to the Parliament "100 per cent" by public transport. At the same time, he also took the opportunity to wish fellow Facebook users Happy World Social Justice Day celebrated today.
"The UN General Assembly declared Feb 20 as World Day of Social Justice in 2007. This year in 2023, UN released a new theme called “Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice”."
The MP said the theme was a perfect fitting with today's mission to remove mobility barriers for all regardless of gender, race, religion and background.
"We put more cars on the road and paying ever higher monthly car instalments, only to find out that we get stuck longer in traffic congestion.
"Studies have shown that drivers in Kuala Lumpur would have lost 159 hours last year on the road during peak hours in the city centre which could have been used to read 31 books instead.
"Road users also had to spend RM1,023 on petrol to drive during these peak hour in 2012." he said on a research finding.
Furthermore, Lee pointed the worsening traffic congestion is wasting people's time that could have been spent with their family, friends and loved ones. "It is also consuming our already shrinking disposable income that otherwise could be used for investment or to improve our life."
He also congratulated Transport Ministry Anthony Loke for taking the courage to tackle major issue by demonstrating that last-mile can be connected even to the Parliament building. "As one of the first passengers that participated in this trip, I am proud to share that my entire journey today, right from my home in Sunway was fully supported by BRT, LRT and a bit of pleasant walk.
"It is no secret that our public transportation system today is still inadequate to have a safe, affordable and comfortable travelling options.
"We spent billions in building urban rail system yet struggling to overcome the last-mile connectivity that enables people to take public transport conveniently." he added.
Lee also highlighted that it requires not just the commitment from the ministers or MPs alone but also preparedness of all urbanites to adjust their lifestyle and travelling pattern to embrace public transport.
"Let us take this baby step as the beginning of a journey towards better, more equitable and sustainable public transport solutions, not for the few but for all. "
