KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has poured cold water on Pakatan Harapan’s plans to abolish toll collection by justifying himself that toll rates in Malaysia were cheap and necessary.
In response to a statement by Dr Mahathir, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Bin Dahlan said conflicts and contradictions such as this would lead to a perfect storm in the opposition coalition.
According to him, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, rationalisation of toll charges were initiated and executed.
“For example, the North-South Expressway (PLUS) acquired by Khazanah and EPF (Employees Provident Fund) in 2010 was to rebalance the toll charging mechanism and no longer heavily favour the private companies that were contracted.
“Hence, in this case, 51 per cent is held by the government and 49 per cent by the EPF account holders.”
He also added that the vast majority of the toll concessions with favourable terms to concessionaires were contracted during Dr Mahathir’s era as Prime Minister.
During Najib’s terms, he said, concession agreements were re-negotiated and all PLUS-owned highways such as the North-South Highway, Penang Bridge and the Tuas Second Link did not see any toll increase since he became Prime Minister in 2009.
In addition, some tolls were also completely abolished in the 2018 Budget announcement such as the Batu 3, Sungai Rasau, Johor Bahru EDL Expressway and Bukit Kayu Hitam tolls.
“Also under Najib and working with the Sarawak government, various pre-existing tolls on roads dating back to the Mahathir-era in Sarawak were abolished, making Sarawak a toll-free state.
“Even major new highways such as the Central Spine Road and the Pan-Borneo Highway that started construction under this government were also designated as being completely toll-free.”
Dr Mahathir had in a Facebook live posting yesterday morning said the country had one of the cheapest toll rates compared to other countries.
He referred to the Penang Bridge’s toll rate at RM7 for a return trip as opposed to a bridge in Japan that requires users to pay RM270 for a one way trip, adding up to more than RM500 for a return trip.
Dr Mahathir’s singing of praises for the cheap tolls were a contradiction to the manifesto announced by the coalition previously that tolls were to be abolished if they were to become the ruling government.
“Being the populist that they are, Pakatan Harapan announced that they will abolish all tolls without giving any strategy, evidence and plans on how to do this nor did they provide any figures whatsoever whether it is costing, how this will be funded as well as financed.
“This is yet another irresponsible and irrational move by Pakatan Harapan as they continue to push and mislead the people with their agenda.”
Rahman, who is in charge of the Economic Planning Unit, said at the end of the day, the people would be the ones suffering from the conflicts within the pact.
“I strongly urge the rakyat to not be fooled by Pakatan Harapan’s fake promises!”
