While stressing that he respected Singapore's decision to raise the Vehicle Entry Permit fees for foreign-registered vehicles, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) president Datuk N. Marimuthu said Malaysia's southern neighbour should not forget their shared history and proximity.
The Singapore Land Transport Authority recently announced that from Aug 1, fees for foreign-registered cars entering Singapore will be raised to S$35 (RM90) from S$20 per day, while fees for foreign-registered goods vehicles will be raised to S$40 from S$10 per calendar month.
'While we respect whatever decision the Singapore government takes for the betterment of the country, historically it has to remember it was part of Malaysia.
'Don't forget your friends lah. We're neighbours,' Marimuthu told the Singapore government.
He said Malaysia could retaliate and increase the price of entry for Singaporean vehicles, but ultimately, consumers would have to bear the brunt of such decisions.
'We also can do the same thing. Any Singapore car comes, we can also charge double but we don't. We even allow them to pour petrol which is much cheaper here than over there.
'We have two bridges and there is trade going in and out. Maybe for personal vehicles, we can take a bus or a taxi.
'But if we're talking about lorries and the transportation of goods, it will increase the costs of goods and this passes the burden on to consumers.
'I think it (Singapore) should rethink this,' said Marimuthu who described the hike as too drastic.
Commuters who regularly drive into Singapore are also moaning the fee increase.
Amer Aqel Amer Nordin, 27, a Malaysian energy consultant, whose wife and child live in Singapore, said the fee increase was a real burden.
'It puts a strain, especially for people like me who earn in Malaysian ringgit despite living in Singapore half the week,' he said, adding that even Singaporeans would feel the pinch as there was a growing number of Singaporeans living in Johor after marrying Malaysians.
He said the moment the fee was increased by 75%, the whole viability of driving a Malaysian car into Singapore was gone.
'No question, might as well buy a Singapore car and reap the benefits that come with it like season parking and travel facilities,' said Amer Aqel.
He said he would still try and take advantage of the timings but by his calculations, it was going to cost him around S$300 extra every month just to bring in his Malaysian car, throwing his plans into the wind.
'I was going to buy a new nicer Malaysian car, but now I'll have to get a second-hand Singaporean car or a smaller Singaporean car instead.'
Business analyst Terry Tan, 28, also said the increase was quite substantial.
'It hits the pocket quite hard. I don't usually drive from Johor Baru to Singapore much, but sometimes I do when I feel like it on random days.
'It's like a double blow. The increased petrol costs and now this.'
V. Desinakumari, 26, an officer at a international delivery company said RM90 was a lot for a Vehicle Entry Permit.
'Why the sudden need to review it? Does a periodical review mean there are chances for another hike? I live in Johor and work in Singapore. This is not a good piece of news for people like me.'
Public relations practitioner Christina Chua, 26, thought many factors should have been considered before the increase was announced.
'What is the justification for it? The increase is a lot. Certainly hits the pocket hard.'
S. Marimuthu, 52, a lorry driver said the Goods Vehicle Permit charge was far too much.
'It is not reasonable at all. I go into Singapore to deliver goods often. I drive my own lorry so I have to foot the bill.'
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