GOVERNMENT PUTS TOLL ABOLISHMENT ON HOLD
Govt would have to pay concession firms RM400b if tolls abolished, says minister
THE Pakatan Harapan government has agreed to postpone the move to abolish toll collections until the economy stabilises.
Works Minister Baru Bian said the postponement was agreed upon after the government weighed the effects of its abolition on the country’s finances.
He said abolishing tolls would result in the government having to pay an estimated
RM400 billion in compensation to toll concession companies.
“Based on the country’s current finances, the government is of the view that the move be postponed until the country’s economy stabilises and conditions permit,” he said in response to a question by Jalaluddin Alias (Barisan Nasional-Jelebu).
Jalaluddin had wanted the minister to state the latest list of tolls to be abolished to lighten the burden of the people and the projection of its implementation.
Baru said after taking into account various factors and implications to the country’s finances, the government conceded that abolishing tolls would not be easy to implement at this time.
“To ease the cost of living, the Cost of Living Council is studying several measures that are more practical and beneficial for the people.”
To an additional question from Jalaluddin on the measures taken before reaching the decision to postpone the toll abolishment as PH’s 100-day manifesto deadline was looming, Baru said the promise was not included in the 100day pledge.
“We are postponing its implementation because we are a responsible and practical government, which is fair to all. When we made the manifesto, we looked at the situation without knowing the state of the country’s finances.
“After taking over the government, only then did we know the true picture and that is why we are postponing it.”
To ease the cost of living, the Cost of Living Council is studying several measures that are more practical and beneficial for the people. BARU BIAN
Works minister