The Malaysian government has decided to postpone toll hikes for 10 highways that are supposed to take place this year. This was revealed during the special announcement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which included the reduction of RON95 fuel price and the RM100 one-off SARA cash aid.
“Based on our projections, toll rates are set to increase this year according to the agreement. This agreement is an old one – don’t put the burden on us, it’s an old agreement between the company and the previous government administration.
However, we’ve agreed that the increase won’t be implemented this year.” – Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.
In a follow-up statement, Minister of Works, Alexander Nanti Linggi has listed all 10 highways that are affected by the announcement:
- Kuala Lumpur – Putrajaya Expressway (MEX)
- Duta – Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE)
- Cheras – Kajang Highway (Grand Saga)
- KL – Kuala Selangor Highway (LATAR)
- New North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKSB)
- Senai – Desaru Expressway (SDE)
- South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE)
- Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (Penang Second Bridge)
- Butterworth Outer Ring Road (LLB)
- East Coast Expressway (LPT2)
In order to defer the toll hike, the government has agreed to pay over RM500 million of compensation to all highway concessionaires that were involved in this decision. The deferment is expected to benefit around 941,000 road users, especially those who commute to work on a daily basis through these highways.
