KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has welcomed the government’s decision to maintain the status quo on the ownership of PLUS Malaysia Bhd.
Chief executive officer Tunku Alizakri Raja Muhammad Alias said the pension fund is happy that the matter has been definitively decided and a clear directive given by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the future direction of the highway concessionaire.
“This puts to rest the public speculation that has been going on for far too long and enables all parties to move forward,” he said in a statement here.
The Prime Minister’s Office earlier today announced that the toll charges for private vehicle users plying the PLUS-operated highways will be reduced by 18% effective Feb 1 and there will be no toll hikes until 2058.
The Cabinet had on Jan 15 decided to maintain Khazanah Nasional Bhd and the EPF as PLUS’ shareholders.
“The decision is a clear indication the government is appreciative that the interests of our 14.6 million-strong EPF members must be protected at all times.
“The reduction of toll is also an added benefit for a majority of our members as they make up a good number of the 1.7 million daily PLUS highway users,” Tunku Alizakri said.
He further noted that EPF, which is a PLUS sukuk holder, plans to work with all other holders to ensure their interests are protected.
He expressed confidence that the the government will be receptive to their inputs and take “all necessary actions.”
Tunku Alizakri added that EPF will work with PLUS and other relevant parties to initiate the 18 per cent toll reduction as quickly as possible in view of the tight indicative time-line and real challenges to implement it operationally. — Bernama
