DAP will hold a series of protests at toll plazas nationwide against the 10 percent toll hike for the North-South Expressway by Projek Leburaya Utara Selatan (Plus).

In a press statement today, party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said all DAP state committees shall decide on the time and venue. The revised toll rate will be implemented on Jan1, 2005.

He said DAP is disappointed with Works Minister S Samy Vellu and Minister in Prime Minister's Department Mustapa Mohamed as they are more interested in protecting the interests of Plus than the rights of ordinary Malaysians.

"If Samy Vellu is worried about having to pay RM38 billion in compensation over the next 33 years to Plus should toll hikes be allowed? Why did he sign the agreement with PLUS in 1987 in the first place?" he asked.

Lim also questioned why Mustapa was more concerned that Plus would be able to settle the RM7.1billion worth of loans it took to finance the RM7.3billion highway with the toll hike.

"The government cannot run away from the responsibility of burdening Malaysians with such unfair toll charges," he said.

The opposition leader said the government's refusal to conduct a complete review to ensure a reasonable and just toll rate has resulted in a policy failure that has turned privatisation into 'piratisation'.

"Furthermore, many Malaysians are unhappy with the traffic congestion and poor road quality of our highways," he added.

Unfettered powers

He said it is irresponsible for the government to allow Plus unfettered powers to increase toll rates with high profits.

"Clearly the government is stubbornly going ahead with toll hikes despite the losses and opposition from the public," he said, adding that the people can register their protest in the next general election.

He said if Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentarians are sincere in stopping Plus from raking in huge profits by increasing toll rates, then they should press for a full and complete review of such unfair privatisation contracts.

"The BN MPs should demand the road tax be abolished or reduced to reflect the reduced financial commitment by the government to building roads," he added.

He pointed out that Plus has collected more than RM9 billion since 1987, with more profit expected to come in the next 25 years.

He said the annual RM80 million compensation from the government to Plus, RM470 million to the concessionaire of the Kesas Highway, RM60million to Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong, RM290 million to Prolintas and RM70million to Sprint Highway are additional costs to Malaysians.

"With such generous guarantees, it is not surprising Plus enjoys the highest operating margin among toll concessionaires in the world of 82-3 percent, recording pre-tax profits of RM736 million over a turnover of RM1,580 million in 2003," he added.