Toll charges: Proposal does not mean approval

PETALING JAYA: The Finance Ministry has assured local road users that the leaked news on the Cabinet’s proposal for an increase in toll charges does not mean approval.
Speaking to the media after launching the second edition of the “GST With Customers” programme at the Kelana Jaya Customs Complex, its deputy minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong added that no final decision has been made in regards to the proposed hike.
“A proposal doesn’t mean approval,” he said today, when asked to comment on the proposed new toll rates.
Chua was asked to comment on the intention of Putrajaya for such a proposal, especially since Malaysians have to bear the recently implemented Goods and Services Tax (GST).
“First of all, what was mentioned in the media was a leaked discussion. Having said that, no final decision was made, from what I understand. It was just a discussion.
“I believe the government will weigh all the conditions and options first, but at this initial stage, it is still a proposal,” he added.
Chua added that when the time comes, a proposal needs to be made and that it was probably brought up because of the agreement made with the highway concessionaires.
A local Malay daily had reported on June 12 that the Works Ministry would present a proposal during the Cabinet meeting to raise toll rates on 16 highways this August by between 20 sen and RM1.
The following day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak branded the leak as a “betrayal of trust” by members of the administration.
While he confirmed that the matter was brought before the Cabinet, Najib said no decision has been made and that it will only be decided in the coming weeks.
Last November, the government decided to postpone increasing the toll rates for 20 highways across the country, following which the concession companies were compensated RM558.69 million.