No extension of toll waiver for Hari Raya, says Ahmad Maslan

PETALING JAYA: The government has no plans to extend the two days of toll exemption for Hari Raya Aidilfitri as previously announced, says Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

"If we round up the cost for those two days (April 8 and 9), the government will spend RM38mil to pay the 33 highway concessionaires in the country. That is about RM19mil per day.

"That is the Cabinet’s decision... and it’s final,” he told reporters after checking out Aidilfitri preparations by PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) at the Persada PLUS Corporate Tower here on Friday (March 29).

On Thursday (March 28), Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi announced that the government had approved a two-day toll-free period on April 8 and 9 for Class 1 private vehicle users on highways in conjunction with Aidilfitri.

ALSO READ: Toll-free travel on all highways for Hari Raya on April 8-9

This would have an estimated financial implication of RM37.6mil, the ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Ahmad said that PLUS anticipates approximately 2.1 million vehicles will use its highways daily during the holiday season, namely on April 5, 6, 9, 12, 13 and 14, compared to 1.82 million during regular peak days.

He said PLUS will also mobilise over 4,500 personnel throughout its highway ecosystem to ensure quick response during the upcoming festive season.

"PLUS also has 70 staff during daily peak hours at its Traffic Monitoring Centre to monitor, gather and disseminate the latest traffic information and coordinate assistance to highway users.

"Highway users are also advised to plan their journeys using the digital travel schedule available on MyPLUS-TTA app,” he said. – Bernama