Taking over of toll highways estimated at RM130bil

Easing the burden: The government has begun talks with Gamuda to buy the concession agreements of four highways, including the LDP, as part of its pledge to abolish tolls in stages.

PETALING JAYA: The total cost of taking over the highways in Malaysia may breach RM100bil, with the equity portion of the concessionaires’ companies forming a larger amount than the RM52bil worth of bonds owed by the highway companies.

With 23 companies having issued RM52.83bil worth of bonds and sukuk as of May last year, analysts said the equity portion of any takeover is estimated to be between RM60bil and RM80bil, which would push the total cost to RM130bil.