THREE laws under the Works Ministry will be amended next year to enable highway concessionaires to implement the multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) toll collection system, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan (pic).
The Deputy Works Minister said the Federal Roads Act, the Road Transport Act and the Malaysian Highway Authority Act have been identified for amendments, primarily to address offences related to toll evasion once the MLFF – a barrier-less system – comes into force.
“When toll barriers are removed, there will inevitably be issues involving users who refuse to pay.
“So the amendments will cover non-payment offences,” he said during Question Time.
Ahmad said enforcement mechanisms will also be refined, including determining which agency will be empowered to act.
“We are considering placing enforcement under the Malaysian Highway Authority,” he added.
Responding to a question from Zahir Hassan (PH-Wangsa Maju) on the latest progress of the MLFF implementation, Ahmad said the Cabinet had earlier agreed to the model, rebranded from “multi-lane free flow” to “fast flow” to avoid misconceptions that users would not need to pay tolls.
He added that the MLFF will be executed on a business-to-business model without government involvement but the rollout has been delayed, pending the necessary legislative amendments.
“The amendments to the three Acts are expected next year. Only then can the MLFF be implemented,” he said.
On the newly announced plan to impose fees on motorists entering Jalan Genting Highlands, Ahmad said the term “toll” is confusing as the road is built on private land.
“From our point of view, it will cause confusion with the 33 toll concessionaires currently operating on highways in the country.
“I hope it can be changed to ‘vehicle charges’ instead,” he said during a supplementary question from Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong), who wanted to know what measures the government would take to prevent similar charges being imposed on roads built on private land but largely accessible to the public.
The Deputy Minister said since Jalan Genting Highlands is a privately owned road, jurisdiction over the land and road lies with the state government and the Bentong Municipal Council.
“What are the consequences if Genting Highlands decides to impose charges?
“If the fees are high, tourists will go elsewhere. That is a risk they have to face.
“Personally, I believe that those who use the private road to go to work should not be charged,” he said.
On Nov 13, Genting Malaysia Bhd announced that it will soon charge vehicles entering the road, citing steep and escalating costs of maintaining the 24km road and its slopes, which the company has borne since the 1960s.
