KUALA LUMPUR: The money the government would need to spend on highway maintenance if tolls are abolished can be used for other priorities, says the Works Ministry.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, said abolishing tolls is not easy, and the government would have to cough up billions for highway maintenance.
ALSO READ: Private car users would have faced steep toll hike without postponement, Dewan Rakyat told
“Instead, these funds can be used in states like Kelantan, Terengganu or the territories of Sabah and Sarawak, which do not use tolls,” he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 29).
He also said there is a possibility that toll rates can be reduced once highway concessionaires achieve their return on investment.
“Then, we can possibly see toll rates, which are considered burdensome now, reduced. That is more practical and realistic.
ALSO READ: ‘Toll hike delay eases burden on daily commuters’
“There is no need to abolish tolls now, for the benefit of the whole country, especially for states that do not use tolls,” he said.
He was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut), who asked if the government planned to abolish tolls.
Ahead of its victory in the 14th General Election in 2018, Pakatan Harapan had pledged to abolish tolls if it came into power.
