KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Government has not been informed of the construction of a purported toll gantry near Jalan Gohtong Jaya heading towards popular hilltop resort Genting Highlands.
This was revealed by Bentong member of parliament Young Syefura Othman who said that both the Works Ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) have been in the dark over the matter since Oct 13.
She said that any development project or development on private land must obtain Planning Permission from the local authority.
"So far, Bentong Municipal Council (MPB) and the Pahang government have not received any application regarding the construction of this toll plaza.
"Therefore, a Stop Work Order has been issued by the council for the developer to stop any further construction efforts until the developer sends an application to be examined before being evaluated and approved," she said in her Facebook page.
It was reported that a one-way toll charge would be imposed to travel to Genting Highlands with Lingkaran Cekap Sdn Bhd, which is in charge of maintaining the roadworks in Genting, will manage the toll's operations.
A Lingkaran Cekap spokesman was quoted as saying drivers only need to pay once when travelling up to Genting and more discussions will be held before an announcement is made on the matter.
The New Straits Times report quoting MPB sources said that the Stop Work Order notice was issued on Wednesday since the developer did not comply with the conditions or seek the approval from the local authorities before works began at the site.
State Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff; and Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said the matter was never discussed in the state executive council meeting.
It is learnt that although the proposed toll is built on private land, the Finance ministry and Transport ministry had to be consulted on toll collection.
Sources said Lingkaran Cekap was attempting to charge a toll for funds to maintain stretches up and down the highlands.
However, one source said such things were subject to approval from the state and federal governments, such as the two ministries, as well relevant authorities, for example, MPB.
None of these, said the source, had been obtained.
"The question is, why are they doing it without permission, or why are they doing it now, after all these years?
"We believe that the majority shareholder for Lingkaran Cekap is pushing for this toll collection because there is a large sum to be collected given the number of visitors to Genting Highlands each year.
"People visiting Genting Highlands will be impacted in the short term, but the situation will return to normal in the long run.
"Charging RM2.50 to RM3 is not a big amount for people who want to go there to gamble or enjoy the rides," the source said.
Meanwhile, KGV International Property Consultants executive director Samuel Tan told the NST the proposed toll collection was for maintaining the slopes and other physical features of the roads.
"It's really for users' safety. People should be able to accept it as long as it is legal and the rates are reasonable.
"After all, how many places do we have in Malaysia that can offer favourable climates coupled with varieties of entertainments?"
