Khazanah leaving tolled highway discussions to PLUS

KUALA LUMPUR: Khazanah Nasional Bhd (Khazanah Nasional) leaves it to PLUS Expressway Bhd to handle the discussions on the proposed acquisition of tolled expressways by the government.

Khazanah managing director Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said as an intercity tolled highways, PLUS provides alternatives to road users.

“From our point of view, we understand (that) part of the reasons is that the priority right now is that some of those highways (being negotiated by the government) basically, are perceived to be ones causing the public difficulties in the sense that they provide no alternatives.

“PLUS by comparison has plenty of alternatives for users. You don’t necessarily have to use PLUS. We actually see people are making choices whether they want to use PLUS and pay for the convenience or basically use the upgraded further roads,” he told reporters after presenting the Khazanah Annual Review 2019 on Tuesday.

“From Khazanah’s point of view as shareholder of PLUS, I think we will let PLUS handle the discussions with the respective ministries and the government and we will advise PLUS from time to time if there is any outcomes,” he added.

Khazanah and its subsidiary, UEM Group collectively hold 51 per cent of PLUS, while the Employees Provident Fund has a 49 per cent stake.

The government recently announced that it had entered into negotiations with Gamuda Bhd to take over the concessions of four highways in which the company is holding majority equity.

They are Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong, Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (SPRINT), Lebuhraya Shah Alam and SMART Tunnel.

On Malaysia Airlines Bhd which has entered the final year of its RM6 billion turnaround plan, Shahril Ridza said Khazanah would ensure of its full delivery. — Bernama