SHAH ALAM: The decision to discontinue free tolls during festive seasons is not final and may still be revised, says Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
He explained that the matter would be determined in a Cabinet meeting scheduled for today.
“Can this decision change? Yes, it can. We will find out tomorrow (Friday). Whether it stays or changes, the Cabinet has the authority to review its decisions,” Ahmad said during a working visit to the Selangor Public Works Department yesterday.
“Let us wait until tomorrow. If there is a new decision, the Works Minister will issue an announcement, as tomorrow is the last day to finalise the decision in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year.”
This follows an announcement by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who stated that the longstanding tradition of free tolls during major festive seasons would no longer continue starting this year.
Ahmad noted that a single day of free tolls costs between RM19mil and RM20mil in subsidies to compensate the concessionaires.
“Annually, we provide toll-free days eight times, equivalent to eight days of free tolls across four festive seasons. What was announced by the minister reflects the Cabinet’s decision last year,” he said.
On a separate matter, Ahmad revealed that only one out of 16 ailing projects nationwide under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department is located in Selangor.
The sole “sick” project in Selangor is the Timah Langat Health Clinic in Sepang, he said, adding that the government is committed to completing all 16 unfinished projects soon.
According to Ahmad, the delays that caused these projects to be categorised as “sick” were primarily due to financial difficulties and management issues faced by the appointed contractors.
