No toll hikes for 21 highways in 2019, will cost govt nearly RM1bil

PLUS Malaysia Bhd, has spent approximately RM1bil in 2016 for the maintenance of its long network of highways in the country

PETALING JAYA: The government's decision to freeze all toll hikes on 21 highways for all vehicles which are eligible for an increase in 2019, as well as the toll hike freeze for buses on eight separate highways, and the abolishment of motorcycle tolls will cost the government RM994.43mil.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the government will incur an estimated RM972.75mil in compensation payments to the relevant highway toll concessionaires for 2019.

The 21 highways and toll hikes frozen for next year include the Petaling Jaya Selatan 2 Toll Plaza at the New Pantai Expressway, the Sungai Besi Highway (Besraya), the Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), the Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE), and the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), among others.

Lim said this is an addition to the Budget 2019 announcement made on Nov 2, which announced that only intra-city toll hikes would be frozen next year.

In addition, Lim said the toll hike freeze for buses on eight separate highways in 2019 will cost the government RM1.68mil.

He added that the abolishment of motorcycle toll for the Penang Bridge and the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge in Penang, as well as the Second Link in Johor will cost the government approximately RM20mil in compensation payments.

"The comprehensive toll hike freeze is an ongoing effort by the Pakatan Harapan-led federal government to alleviate the burden of rising living costs borne by all Malaysians," he said in a statement on Thursday (Dec 27).

Lim added that the government was currently studying the best method to fulfil its general election manifesto promise as stated in the Buku Harapan.

"The toll hike freeze is part of these efforts," he said.