‘Maju Holding proposal a boon for highway users’

PETALING JAYA: The PanMalaysia Lorry Owners’ Association says it welcomes highway concessionaire Maju Holding’s proposal not to raise toll rates on the PLUS highway for 20 years if it succeeds in its takeover plan.

Calling the logistics industry a core growth sector, association president Anthony Tan said the PLUS highway was a “key route” as it was one of the largest highway networks in the country.

Tan said the proposed freeze benefited the Government, too, as Maju Holdings’ proposal included reducing contingent liabilities and forfeiting the Government’s toll compensation to PLUS.

“The company is proposing to improve security along the highway as well.

“We have invested substantially in our trucks, and this will attract more lorry operators to use the highway,” Tan said in a statement yesterday.

The association also voiced its concern that a proposal by UEM Edgenta Bhd could see toll hikes, which he said would burden lorry operators and also other highway users.

Tan questioned other parts of UEM Edgenta’s proposal, including the setting up of a road resurfacing research centre and plants along the highway, asking if these were strictly necessary and if these projects would have an impact on costs.

“The logistics industry cannot be facing increments of toll rates once every three to five years,” he added.