‘Govt planning lower peak-hour toll rates’

Government will work out a mechanism to minimise the impact of higer toll rates on the people, says Najib.

TEMERLOH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government planned to introduce peak-hour rates or season passes at reduced prices to lessen the burden of the higher toll rates on the people.

Najib said the government would work out a mechanism to minimise the impact on the people.

“We are considering all these,” he said, adding that toll rates had to be raised in stages as it was necessary to maintain the country’s highways.

Najib said the increase in toll rates and electricity tariffs were inevitable to maintain economic stability.

“Do not think that the government is insensitive to the people’s needs.

“It is difficult not to allow the rise in toll rates and power tariffs as, otherwise, the national economy will suffer and the people will have to bear more hardship,” he said at the presentation of federal aid to flood victims and recognition of the services of flood relief volunteers at the Abu Bakar Mosque, here.

Najib said the government continued to provide subsidy totalling RM42 billion annually, an amount almost as high as the RM49 billion allocated for development.

– Bernama