KUALA LUMPUR: Four highways and expressways in the Klang Valley have been targeted by the government as part of its proposed acquisition of tolled highways.
This as Pakatan Harapan government seeks to abolish toll collection in stages, a pledge which was part of its 14th General Election manifesto.
Pakatan Harapan has promised in its election manifesto to take steps to acquire highway concessions and abolish toll collection in stages, in accordance to the terms of the concession agreement said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said the highways involved are Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP), Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (SPRINT), Lebuhraya Shah Alam (KESAS) and SMART Tunnel.
Dr Mahathir adds that the move was to alleviate the high cost of living for commuters.
"I am pleased to announce that as a first step, the Government has commenced talks with Gamuda Berhad to negotiate the acquisition of highway concession in which the company has a majority stake.
"The highways are the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP), Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (SPRINT), Lebuhraya Shah Alam (KESAS) and SMART Tunnel," he said in statement which was issued by the Prime Minister's Office, today.
Dr Mahathir said upon successful takeover of the highways, the Government intends to abolish the existing toll mechanism.
"In its place, a ‘congestion charge’ will be introduced where commuters will only pay a‘congestion charge’ equivalent to the existing toll for 6 hours of “peak” period a day.
"During the “off-peak” period between 11pm and 5am, commuters will travel on the highway for free," he said
"At other ‘normal’ traveling hours, commuters will enjoy discounted rates up to 30 per cent compared to existing toll rates.
Dr Mahathir said the revenue collected from the ‘congestion charge’ will go towards the operations and maintenance of the highways and repayment of borrowings.
He said any surplus collected will then be channeled into a public transportation fund to improvethe quality of public transport in Malaysia.
Dr Mahathir said further details on the proposed exercise will be announced by the Finance Minister at the appropriate time.