KUALA LUMPUR: Thirteen out of 33 highway concessionaires have yet to agree to the multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) gateless toll collection system, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said negotiations were ongoing with all concession companies regarding the MLFF, an automated system implemented in Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand
"The negotiation period is until Dec16. Its implementation will result in a concession over a concession. (in BM: pelaksanaan ini akan menyaksikan berlakunya konsesi atas konsesi).
"We have 33 (highway) concessionaires and the problem is that not all of them agree.
"Currently, 20 companies are in negotiations, while 13 have yet to come to an agreement.
"We will have to wait until Dec 16. If we don't get the agreement from all 33 concession companies, we will propose alternative solutions," he said in response Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh).
Fawwaz had inquired about the status of the MLFF.
Ahmad said implementation of MLFF would require amendments to certain laws, including provisions to address toll payment evasion.
He said toll gates made it easy to identify vehicles that did not make payments.
"Those who avoid paying tolls account for 0.01 percent of motorists, either by ramming the toll gate, which occurs rarely, or by tailgating.
"If the toll system transitions to one without physical booths, the number of toll evaders will likely increase. Therefore, the law needs to be amended to address this issue," he said.
On Nov 21, Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat that the government would decide on the implementation of the MLFF toll system by Dec 16.