Responding to questions about the barrier-free Multi-Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) project which was allegedly described as a monopoly, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government will go through a normal process. He added there’s no basis whatsoever to assume that the process will be through a negotiated tender.
“No, we will have to go through a proper process, transparent as well have already made it clear,” said Anwar.
When asked about a supposed MLFF agreement made in 2021 during the previous administration, Anwar said the government will have to relook at the whole process, and whether the process is fully adhered to.
The Works Ministry is aiming to expedite the implementation of MLFF for electronic toll collections in Malaysia with trials expected to begin in 2024. The RM3.46 billion MLFF project is said to be using automated number plate recognition (ANPR) and RFID technologies which allows a seamless tolling experience without any physical toll lanes and barriers.
While there have been several MLFF Proof of Concept (POC) announcements made in the past, it was recently reported that highway concessionaires were not happy with an appointed party which allegedly has no track record in toll collection. Early this month, it was alleged that a large number of highway concessionaires through an association have sent an official letter protesting the move to award the MLFF project to a “monopoly”. They have also raised concerns about toll collection leakages as well as operational costs to each highway concessionaire.
Following the report, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said no company has the approval to manage the MLFF tolling system just yet. He clarified that the ministry together with the Malaysian Highway Authority is re-examining all aspects of MLFF and approval was only granted so that the parties involved could start the negotiation process. The Minister added that only the highway concessionaires are allowed to collect tools at the moment as per the concession agreement.
[ SOURCE, IMAGE SOURCE ]
Related reading
- MLFF ‘monopoly’: Works Ministry to review barrier-free highway tolling project approved by previous govt
- Report: Barrier-free tolling hits a snag as highway firms oppose new MLFF ‘monopoly’
- MLFF trials for toll collection coming in 2024 but who is going to do it?
- RFID Malaysia: Here’s what these 3 ministers need to do to get rid of highway toll barriers
