Cabinet to discuss proposal to reduce highway toll rates

 

The cabinet will discuss and decide a proposal on the takeover of highways from the concessionaires, which will see the reduction of toll rates, according to Senior Works Minister Fadillah Yusof.

"The government and the highway concessionaires are studying various initiatives and methods that could be considered to reduce the toll rates on the highways," he said in a parliamentary reply.

"The Works Ministry also allowed the concessionaires to propose the methods on financial restructuring for the purpose of lowering the toll rates," Fadillah told Gobind Singh Deo (Pakatan Harapan-Puchong), who asked about government's efforts to reduce toll rates.

“These proposals will be discussed at the Works Ministry, Finance Ministry, the Public-Private Partnership Unit (Ukas), the Prime Minister's Department and relevant agencies to arrive at a holistic decision," he added.

Fadillah Yusof

He expects the matter to be brought up at the cabinet for consideration and approval.

Earlier this week, Fadillah's deputy, Eddin Syazlee, was reported saying that the government was expected to table the details on the proposed takeover of the highways from the concessionaires to the cabinet by mid-December this year.

Eddin said the government was still reviewing the proposal, which also takes into account the financial impact of the takeover on the country, and other viable options.

The government was looking at putting all 35 highways, including six that are under construction, under one highway trust body. The terms of the highway concessions agreed by the previous government would also be reviewed. - Mkini