THERE will be no increase in highway toll charges following implementation of the proposed Multi-Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) toll system, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (pic)..
The Deputy Works Minister said the proposed MLFF system, which has yet to receive Cabinet approval, is estimated to save RM3.46bil.
The costs saved will come from doing away with the current toll booths on 33 highways nationwide and replacing them with overhead gantries using radio-frequency identification (RFID) and an automated number plate recognition system.
“These savings will be used for the MLFF system without increasing toll charges for users,” he said when answering a question raised by Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He said the RM3.46bil was the cost which was an estimate provided under the previous proposal by KJS Sdn Bhd and SEP Snergy (M) Sdn Bhd, which was automatically terminated on Dec 16 last year.
Ahmad said the government is still committed in implementing the MLFF system as a means to deal with traffic congestions at highway toll plazas.
“The Cabinet will soon decide on the direction on the implementation of MLFF system,” he added.
He said a Cabinet paper will be prepared for the purpose after getting relevant feedback from the Transport Minister, Finance Ministry, the Attorney-General Chamber’s (AGC) and Public Private Partnership Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department (Ukas).
Only Ukas has yet to submit its views for the Cabinet paper on the MLFF system, he added.
Ahmad said that several companies are likely to bid for the proposed MLFF project, which will require approval from all 33 highway concessionaires.
He said the government will also heed the recommendations by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to carry out a cost benefit analysis of the proposed project.
On reports that the MLFF system will be implemented in April, Ahmad said it is being considered by PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS).
“The highway concessionaires have a right to implement the MLFF independently but this will be subject to the Cabinet’s directive and direction on the system,” he said.
In December 2023, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the MLFF project would be reviewed to ensure transparency and in accordance with procedure.
The PAC began its probe into the MLFF project in February last year following protest by 33 highway concessionaires over the move to directly award the RM3.46bil project to a private company.
The concessionaires claimed that the project was awarded to the company without consulting stakeholders who would have to foot the bill for the implementation of the project.
In a statement on Tuesday, PAC said the Cabinet had approved the appointment of KJS Sdn Bhd and SEP Snergy (M) Sdn Bhd for the project on Dec 17, 2021 to negotiate with the highway concessionaires over a three-year period ending Dec 16 last year.
Although the agreement was inked on Nov 17, 2022, the PAC said agreement had automatically terminated on Dec 16, 2024 after no consensus was reached.
The PAC also found that appointment of KJS-SEP Snergy as the Central Tolling Company (CTC) was against the terms under the concession agreements which provides exclusive toll collection to the highway concessionaires.
