Toll rate hike next year unavoidable, says minister

The toll rate hike next year is unavoidable as it is an express condition in the concession agreement between the government and highway concession companies, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar.

He said the toll rate should have been revised in 2011, as stated in the concession agreement.

"However, the rate was maintained, but the government had to fork out RM400 million in compensation from taxpayers' money, which could have been used for other purposes.

"And now it's time to fulfill the condition," he told reporters after presenting prizes to winners of a colouring and drawing competition held in conjunction with the Parliament Building's 50th anniversary celebration here on Saturday.

He said the hike was therefore a fair measure for taxpayers, coupled with the fact that highways were alternative routes which they don't use everyday.

Word of the proposed toll rate increase followed Works minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof's statement that it would be revised next year to comply with the agreement between the government and the highway concessionaires.

A newspaper reported that the increase would likely be between 30 sen and RM1, involving 13 highways. Meanwhile, Abdul Wahid said the inaugural celebration gave the public an opportunity to take a closer look at the uniqueness of the parliament building's architecture, which made it one of the icons in the federal capital.

"This celebration is also to correct public perception that the parliament is a restricted area when it is actually open to visitors, by writing a letter for permission and through activities such as this," he said.