No decision yet on method of reducing toll, says Dr M

By BERNAMA | 28 May 2019


PUTRAJAYA: The government has not yet decided on the method for reducing toll, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Monday.

Commenting on former chairman of Council of Eminent Persons Tun Daim Zainuddin’s statement that the government is capable of cutting toll rates by up to 25 percent, Dr Mahathir said there were several suggestions from the private sector to take over the highway concessions but the possible toll rate cut was not up to 25 percent.

"We are now facing problems; we promised to abolish tolls, but if tolls are abolished the government’s burden will increase tremendously.



"For example if we abolish the North-South Highway (PLUS) toll, the government has to buy over the highway for RM30bil. Better to use that money to pay debts, can reduce our burden a bit,” he told a media conference after chairing the National Finance Council meeting here.

While agreeing with Daim’s view that the people’s support for the Pakatan Harapan government would increase if toll rates are reduced, Dr Mahathir said: "The people will be relieved for not having to pay toll but the government will not feel so because toll has to be paid by the government.”

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