CEP: Not wise to totally abolish tolls now

Total abolition of tolls is not wise due to the country's current financial stage, said the Council of Eminent Persons.

Its chairperson Daim Zainuddin told this to reporters today when asked about the Pakatan Harapan-led administration's plan to abolish tolls as promised in its manifesto.

"There were many proposals submitted to us (by concessionaires), and some were not even complete.

"We (CEP) have also submitted our recommendations. The idea is to remove tolls completely, and in this financial position, it is not wise to do this at this stage.

"I think the rakyat also understand," he said during a press conference by CEP in Kuala Lumpur, where Daim announced the end of the council's 100 days mandate to look into the country's governance and financial issues.

Daim, who is a former finance minister, was referring to the country's RM1 trillion debt when he mentioned the current financial stage.

Harapan, which took over the country's administration from BN after winning the 14th general election in May, had promised in its election manifesto to get rid of tolls. 

On Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's plan for the country to have another national car, Daim said the premier was looking at preparing the country to be competitive in the future global market.

This, he added, lies in the manufacturing industry which would provide the right skills that will enable Malaysia to compete in the future.

"We identified that what we need is the automotive sector, which employs about 700,000 people now. But we have to upgrade our skills.

"So, we produce (automotive) components first, that is important, so we can supply and export to industries.

"And we upgrade until such time that we are in the position to produce, not a Malaysian car, but an Asean car, where the private sector is to invest, not the government, that is my understanding," said Daim.

The prime minister was reported as saying that the government was looking at building the national car 3.0 after Proton and Perodua, as his brainchild.

Proton forged a strategic partnership with China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co (Geely) in May, last year.

-Mkini