Najib takes a whack at ‘father of all tolls’

At a rally, he disparages the ability of Mahathir's son to pay off toll concessionaires with RM380bn compensation.

Barisan Nasional chairman Najib Razak asks where the money will come from to pay off highway concessionaires. (Facebook pic)

GEORGE TOWN: Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s past came under attack again this evening at a rally in rural Penang island from his counterpart, Barisan Nasional chairman Najib Razak.

“Mahathir is the ‘father of all tolls’ in the country,” Najib told a 5,000-strong crowd, “because he introduced toll roads when he was prime minister.”

Najib, referring to a Pakatan Harapan election pledge, added: “Now, apparently he wants to get rid of tolls. Even Mahathir’s richest son Mokhzani would not be able to pay the toll concessionaires RM380 billion (in compensation). So, where will all the money come from?”

He said the opposition’s promise to abolish tolls was unrealistic, and added: “At least during my time, I managed to cut down tolls.”

Dr Mahathir also came under attack for his disavowal of responsibility for the detention of political critics under the Internal Security Act in the past. -FMT