Toll ops review to be completed by year end

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 3): Putrajaya is reviewing the operation model for tolls and expects the study to be done by year end, according to Works Minister Baru Bian.

He said the review will cover the operation model of future tolls including toll prices.

“As it is a big concern to many people, we will try to expedite it. The toll issue is very clear. I think we have made our stand that we are going to review, look at the whole aspect of it, (including) the impact of it, to all the stakeholders,” Baru told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Noting that the abolition of tolls is a “very sensitive” matter, Baru said the ministry will make a final decision after it is clear about the implications.

“We also come to understand that the implication [of the toll abolishment] is huge. If we abolish it all at one go, it could cost us about RM400 billion,” he said.

When asked to comment on whether the government is going back on its promise to abolish tolls as stated in the manifesto, Baru said: “In the first place, the manifesto committee has a very good intention ... but it is a guide for the new government.”

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on Aug 3, 2018.

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