Board, not state has final say on toll hikes, admits MB

The Selangor government had instructed state-linked companies such as Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), which holds minority shares in several toll concessionaires, to oppose the slew of toll hikes scheduled for early next year.

Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim (centre in photo), however, admitted that the final decision will be made by the board of directors by the respective highway concession companies and will not lie in the hands of the state.

"We have directed the board members who represent PKNS in the concession companies to make several suggestions to the company not to increase toll charges in order to protect the welfare of the people," he said after chairing the state executive council meeting today.

"We hope this matter can be discussed in the companies' board meetings," he added further.

The state holds minor shares in concessionaires encompassing three highways - the Shah Alam highway (Kesas), Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) and Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal System (Sprint).

The state holds 30 percent of the Kesas concessionaire through PKNS, and 20 percent of both the Sprint and LDP concessionaires via Kumpulan Perangsang.

[More to follow]