Toll hike on Causeway may affect business at Iskandar Malaysia

Johor members of Parliament (MP) Johor urged the both Malaysia and Singapore governments to review and reconsider the toll hikes at the entrance of both countries fearing it will affect the business at the Iskandar-Malaysia region.

According to Pulai Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, the toll will have an adverse affect on the economy and businesses in the area.

“Malaysia and Singapore need to sit down and consider this hike so that the business in Iskandar Malaysia can flourish,” he said when contacted by Astro AWANI today.

He said the businesses in the area are largely dependent on the proximity of the two countries, thus the access to transports cannot be too rigid.

“It (the toll rate) cannot be too expensive for cars to enter Singapore and Johor Baharu, or Iskandar won't be a success,” said Nur Jazlan of the Republic’s impending toll increase to match their new toll rates following the revision of toll rates by Malaysia on Aug 1.

The new toll prices sees an increase of up to SGD$13 or RM33 charges for both Iskandar and Woodlands.

According to a press statement, the current toll for cars will be increased from S$1.20 (RM3.00) to S$3.80 (RM9.70) while vans and light goods vehicles drivers will have to fork out RM9.90 to pay the revamped rate of S$5.80 (RM14.70).

The new rates for taxis and buses are S$1.90 (RM4.80) and S$3.10 (RM7.80), respectively.

Kluang DAP Liew Chin Tong said the “toll tussle” has created a “shield” of sorts on the Causeway to distinctively divide the two neighbours.

“‎The local economy in Southern Johor especially small traders, tourism, logistics sectors in Johor Bahru is likely to face chilling prospects. There will definitely be an impact on the national economy,” said Liew.