Nanta affirms toll collection rights amid MLFF project developments

 

Thirty-two highway toll concessionaires previously protested the government’s direct award of the multi-lane free flow project to a private company.

PETALING JAYA: Works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi has assured that existing highway concessionaires retain the right to collect toll following a report of a private company having secured the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) project.

“Based on this, my team and I at the ministry are working to ensure the smoothness of the MLFF initiative so that it can fulfil the expected objectives,” Nanta said in a Facebook post.

“This initiative requires comprehensive cooperation and support, not only from the works ministry, but also from the concessionaires and the highest management of the unity government.”

Nanta said his ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority had been reviewing the project’s implementation, adding that the previous government had only obtained principled approval for negotiation purposes.

“Although the planning and initial approval processes have been underway since 2021, as the current works minister, I realised the need for further studies and improvement actions, especially those involving legal aspects, to ensure the smooth implementation of MLFF and its benefits to the people,” he said.

Nanta’s statement followed a report by FMT on Thursday about 32 highway toll concessionaires protesting the government’s direct award of the MLFF project to a private company for all highways in the country.

Under the MLFF system, all exit and entry points on highways will be converted into barrier-free lanes to reduce congestion and ease traffic flow.

Sources indicated that an “appointment agreement” was signed with a YTL Corporation Bhd-linked company on Nov 17, awarding the RM3.46 billion project without consulting the concessionaires who would eventually foot the bill.

The sources said the Association of Highway Concessionaires Malaysia had sent an objection letter to the works ministry, alleging a violation of their individual agreements with the government.

The association is reportedly seeking legal advice on the matter, as the government is offering a 20-year concession to KJS-SEP Synergy (M) Sdn Bhd. - FMT