KUALA LUMPUR: Reducing the North-South Expressway (Plus) toll charges is one of the pledges made by Pakatan Harapan (PH) in its 15th General Election (GE15) action plan, which it launched today.
"The Harapan administration has shown commitment to reviewing all highway concession agreements and negotiating to get the best prices, leading to toll rates being reduced by 18 per cent for the North-South Expressway (Plus) and the East-Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT 2).
"Harapan is determined to continue reducing Plus tolls gradually with the ultimate goal of eliminating tolls and returning Plus highways to public ownership," read the action plan, called Kita Boleh.
The action plan has outlined 10 priorities that the coalition would embark upon if it won GE15.
The pledge on reducing toll charges was under managing the cost of living.
The other nine are: combating corruption and strengthening democracy; empowering youth's economic opportunities and exploring humanity sectors; saving the lost generation in education; building disaster mitigation measures and boosting protection for the rakyat (people); addressing the issue of contract doctors and providing robust welfare for healthcare workers; eliminating gender inequality and boosting women's socioeconomic participation; empowering Sabah and Sarawak; improving the competitiveness of Malaysians, especially vulnerable groups; and preserving the environment for future generations.
These 10 priorities were presented at the launch of the action plan to address pressing issues faced by the people, such as cost of living and prices of goods, jobs and economic opportunities, education, and health.
To combat corruption, the action plan said the nomination of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner must be vetted by a bipartisan Parliamentary Special Committee.
This will ensure the nomination of a neutral candidate who will not protect the interests of any party.
The coalition has also pledged to limit the serving term for prime ministers, menteris besar and chief ministers to 10 years to ensure that these positions will not be used to accrue power and to also safeguard transparency in the national administration.
"Harapan will introduce the Fixed Parliament Term Act to ensure that the dissolution of Parliament and state legislative assemblies will be called only at the end of the term to minimise political instability."
Coalition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said PH was determined to rebuild Malaysia from the rubble of devastation brought about by Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional in the past 30 months, plagued by uncoordinated policies and profligate governance, and bereft of ideas to address long-term concerns such as social disparity, climate change and recovery of education for the lost generation.
"With the unwavering commitment of the Harapan leadership and the clear mandate delivered by the people's full mobilisation to the ballot box come Nov 19, we can develop a Malaysia that is more sustainable, caring and compassionate, prosperous, innovative and guided by respect and trust.
"The policies included under the Harapan action plan can propel Malaysia to a future filled with promise."