National income will be impacted if tolls are abolished

He said a responsible government will look at things for the long term, especially from the economic aspect.

"On paper it is attractive.Everything is free. But this is only to gain support," he added.

He said the manifesto is a document declaring the policy of parties competing in the General Election and to garner the support of the people.

"In this regard, it is also an offer or agreement strewn in the hope that the people will give the party the mandate to rule," he told Bernama.

He highlighted that the strength of the country's economy depends on three key pillars, that is economic development, distribution of wealth and an economy generated through transparency.

According to the Pakatan Rakyat manifesto, the operational expenditure for the highways will be supported by using the RM5 billion that has all this while been paid as compensation for the concessionaires.

The abolishment of the toll is to help bring down the prices of goods.

The Barisan Nasional government has undertaken a number of steps to restructure toll rates, including that of Kumpulan PLUS Bhd. This has enabled the toll rate on the highway to be maintained for five years from 2011.

Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club Deputy Chief Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the move to abolish toll would involve billions of ringgit as compensation and this would not benefit Sabah and Sarawak.

"The money will not be enough for future use," he said, adding, the compensation amount would deprive Sabah and Sarawak of good infrastructure.