Selangor state government which has criticised the recent toll hikes as irresponsible and regrettable, wants the Goods and Service Tax (GST) revenue to be paid to highway concessionaires to avoid the hikes.

Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali said by doing so the companies need not raise their toll rates.

He said the hikes will further burden the people who are affected by the economy crisis and the Ringgit fall.

“The hike between 10 sen to RM4.70 will only burden the people in the current economic situation,” he said in a press statement today.

He said the state government had summoned Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) and Kumpulan Perangsang (KPS) to brief the toll hike to the Selangor Economic Action Council (MTES).

PKNS holds 30 percent of the KESAS highway while KPS owns 20 percent interest in the SPRINT and LDP highways.

He said although the state does not hold the final say on the toll hike as it is only a minority share holder, Azmin said it is the state government’s policy to oppose the hikes.

He said the state government regretted the decision to raise KESAS and SPRINT toll rates which was not discussed or decided at the KESAS Holdings Berhad board of directors’ meeting.

He said the state government had through its representative, called for an extraordinary board meeting to exercise its minority power to reject the toll hikes.