This is the best news we’ve heard so far! Malaysian citizens need not worry about the increasing toll rates for now as Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin confirmed that the Government will be paying RM400 million in compensation to the toll concessionaires.
Yes, that’s right, there will be NO increase in toll rates this year!
He said that the move was among the initiatives to aid the public to cushion the rising costs of living.
He also explained that the agreements with the concessionaires stated that toll rates should be increased after a certain period.
“We have decided that in order not to further burden the people, the Government will compensate the companies.
“Toll will still have to be paid but users will not be paying new rates,” he added.
The decision involved concessionaires handling highways in the Klang Valley as PLUS Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the operator of the North-South Expressway, had earlier announced that there would be no increase of its toll rates.
Muhyiddin said the Works Ministry had also been requested to look into the agreements to identify whether it could re-negotiate with the concessionaires to extend the concession periods. “This is a long-term initiative to ensure that the rates would not be increased.”
To that, we say cheers to all Malaysian motorists! For now, at least.
[Source]
