The person who leaked information on the impending increase in hikeway toll charges has betrayed the trust of the cabinet, said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

At a press conference after chairing the BN supreme council meeting in Kuala Lumpur last night, Najib said the matter had generated unnecessary negative sentiments towards his administration.

He stressed that the increase in toll charges was not final.

"(Cabinet) discussed the issue (yesterday) but details, such as how it will be implemented, will be decided in the coming weeks.

"So, whatever leaks from cabinet is not final.

"Unfortunately, there has been a leak through the social media and the matter is being played up.

"It is very unfortunate that someone was unethical and has betrayed the trust of the government," he said.

Sources told Malaysiakini that the majority of cabinet members were in favour of increasing toll charges for 16 to 19 highways.

BN parties told to close ranks

Similarly, Berita Harian reports that toll charges for 16 highways will be increased between 20 sen and RM1 from August onwards.

However, representatives of highway concessionaires told Bernama that they were unaware of this .

Meanwhile, Najib said that while BN component parties enjoy good ties at the highest level, there is still room for the parties to smoothen ties further.

"Cooperation between BN components at the highest level has no problems. (But) at the working level, they need to settle their differences [...] so the BN machinery will be more fluid," he said.

Najib was likely referring to the ongoing spat in Sarawak BN, which saw some leaders from Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) leaving for a new party called Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).

On the recent earthquake in Sabah, Najib said Putrajaya will honour those who served during rescue missions.