SHAH ALAM: After 24 years, the Baru Tiga and Sungai Rasau toll plazas here have finally ceased operations, bringing relief to thousands Shah Alam and Klang residents.
Selangor Barisan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar led the closing down ceremony at the stroke of midnight, held at the Sungai Rasau toll plaza.
As the clock struck 12, the toll barriers at the plaza was lifted, with hundreds of beaming motorists streaming through without paying the toll fare.
The end of toll collection at the two plazas is expected to bring financial relief to over 270,000 Shah Alam and Klang residents.
In his speech, Noh, who is also Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister, said the end of toll collection at the two plazas, announced last year by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was proof that Barisan Nasional cares for the rakyat's wellbeing.
"This will ease the burden of residents who ply this highway. Before this, they had to pay a total of RM2.10 each way for both tolls.
"Starting tonight, the abolishment of these tolls would at the very least lessen the cost of living for the people of Shah Alam, Klang, and those around the area.
"I want to make it clear today that this success was made possible thanks to the efforts of BN from Shah Alam and its vicinity," he said.
The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Works Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, as well as officials from the Works Ministry, Malaysian Highway Authority and highway concessionaire Plus Bhd.
Noh also noted that the Opposition was keen to ride on the political mileage from BN's effort.
Among them, he said, was Pakatan Harapan chairman and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"During Tun Mahathir's era, he built these tolls but it is during Datuk Seri Najib's time that these tolls are abolished."
Noh also pledged that this would not marke the end of BN's efforts, and that it would continue to fight for the rakyat.
He also promised to assist the people in his capacity as a federal minister by focusing on the urban poor as well as housing issues.
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Keywords: Batu Tiga toll plaza, Sungai Rasau toll plaza, Noh Omar, Selangor Barisan Nasional