Highways to go toll-free this Chinese New Year on 8 and 9 February

Highways throughout Malaysia will go toll-free for two days later this week in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday. This has been confirmed by Works Minister, Alexander Nanti Linggi through an official announcement on social media.

Estimated to cost RM42.99 million, the toll-free implementation will take place tonight at 12:01 AM on 8 February and will last until 11:59 PM on 9 February. As usual, the tolls at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Linkedua’s Tanjung Kupang at the Malaysia-Singapore border in Johor are not part of this toll-free arrangement.

The CNY toll-free privilege is exclusive to Class 1 vehicles

Another important thing to note about the toll-free highway programme for the upcoming Chinese New Year is the fact that it only applies to just Class 1 vehicles which covers private cars. This means taxis and buses which are categorised as Class 4 and Class 5 vehicles, respectively still have to pay tolls.

It is a rather interesting move as there was no such specific instruction given during the previous toll-free implementation that took place last December in conjunction with the Christmas holiday.

Then again, lorries will likely not be on the road for the next two days though. This is because the Road Transport Department (JPJ) has imposed a travel ban on Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles during the same travel period.

No toll-free implementation for the return leg

In addition to that, the toll-free is not being implemented for the return journey which seemed rather odd. As a comparison, the toll-free programme for last year’s Christmas season covered the travel period before and after the holiday as it was implemented on 23 and 26 December.

That being said, this happened last year as well whereby the toll-free programme was only applied on 20 and 21 January. Meanwhile, please take note that you still have to tap your Touch ‘n Go card or scan the RFID sticker at toll plazas during the toll-free period even though no credit will be deducted from your TNG card or TNG eWallet account.