KUALA LUMPUR: There will be a minimum of 18 per cent reduction of average toll charges across all PLUS highways.
This as the Cabinet will consider all proposals, including from Khazanah Nasional Berhad to acquire or dispose all shares of PLUS Malaysia Berhad.
"In the Pakatan Harapan Manifesto, it has been stated that negotiations will be undertaken to obtain the best price in taking
over every toll concession with the end goal of abolishing toll
collection gradually," Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said in his 2020 Budget speech in the Dewan Rakyat, here, today.
“Such proposal must be fiscal positive, without increasing the present debt burden or the debt services charges of the government.
“At the same time, the 18 per cent discount on toll charges for the North-South Highway will save highway users up to RM1,130 million in 2020, and RM43 billion over the entire concession period until 2038,” he said.
Additionally, Lim said the Cabinet has approved the proposed offer to acquire four Klang Valley highways; the Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS), Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), Sprint Expressway (SPRINT) and SMART Tunnel (SMART) to be funded via Government-guaranteed borrowings.
“The acquisition of these highways will not burden the Government because the financing, operations and maintenance cost will be entirely funded by the collection of toll and congestion charges without requiring any future funding by the government.”
Meanwhile, in aligning the toll rates between the First and Second Penang Bridge, rates for cars at the Second Penang Bridge will be reduced from RM8.50 to RM7 effective Jan 1, 2020.