Harapan takes credit for govt highway takeover, asks for toll discounts

Pakatan Harapan is taking credit for the government's takeover of four Klang Valley highways which will see toll rates remain unchanged until the end of the concession period.

In a statement, the opposition coalition said this was a continuation of efforts kick-started by the Harapan government in 2019.

"What was announced (by Putrajaya) is a Harapan policy that was carried out to completion.

"This proves that if Harapan had been in power for more than 22 months, and the Sheraton Move had not occurred, various policies that would help alleviate the people's burdens could have been implemented," the Harapan presidential council said.

The statement was signed by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, and Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced yesterday that the government, through the special purpose vehicle Amanat Lebuhraya Rakyat Berhad (ALR), will acquire four highways at a cost of RM5.48 billion.

The highways are the Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), Smart Tunnel, Sprint Highway, and the Damansara Puchong Expressway (LDP).

‘Continue discounts to users’

The Harapan government had initiated the takeover in October 2019 but was overthrown four months later.

The Harapan presidential council, in its statement today, pointed out that the coalition had also initiated discounts up to 30 percent on the four highways for 16 hours of the day, while also reducing toll rates on the North-South Highway (Plus) by 18 percent.

It urged the government to continue offering further discounts to road users.

Harapan, in the same statement, also urged the government to explain to Parliament the ownership of ALR, especially in terms of its fiscal responsibilities and transparency of its expenditure.

ALR is a not-for-profit firm incorporated with the mandate to assist the government in restructuring the tolled highway concessions.

ALR’s mandate is to maintain the current toll rates and accelerate the return of the concessions to the government upon settlement of any debts.

ALR's role may be expanded in the future.

Works Minister Fadillah Yusof said yesterday that the government was considering a similar restructuring exercise for more highways concessionaires to prevent further increases in toll charges. - Mkini