The federal government is looking for a suitable mechanism to determine the toll rates for the first and second Penang Bridge to ensure they will not burden the people.

penang gerakan agm 260910 koh tsu koon Gerakan president Dr Koh Tsu Koon ( left ) said he had met with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Works Minister Shaziman Mansor to discuss the matter as it was important for the welfare of the people in Penang.

The minister in the Prime Minister's Department said although Gerakan did not have the mandate and no assembly seat in Penang, it would continue to struggle for the people's lot, including addressing the Penang Bridge toll issue.

"I have left it to the prime minister and works minister to find a solution to the issue, and the government is now looking into it" he told reporters after opening the Penang Gerakan annual general meeting, in George Town, today.

The media had before this reported on the toll rates for both bridges after the second bridge is completed and fully operational in 2013.

For Class 1 or motorcycles, the rate is RM1.90 and Class 2 (cars, taxis and two-axle vans) RM9.40, Class 3 (two-axle vehicles) RM16.20, Class 4 (two-axle with six wheels) RM33.60, Class 5 (three-axle) RM60.60, Class 6 (four-axle) RM80.80 and Class 7 (five-axle and more) RM100.90.

The current rates for the Penang Bridge users are RM1.40 for Class 1, RM7 for 2, RM12 (Class 3), RM25 (Class 4), RM45 (Class 5), RM60 (Class 6) and RM75 (Class 7).

penang bridge Meanwhile, Koh who is also former Penang chief minister, said the federal government had identified several projects to be implemented in Penang from the Economic Transformation Plan to increase investment in the state which continued to decline since the Pakatan Rakyat government took over the state's administration in 2008.

He said these were concrete projects which would be announced by the companies involved.

"What I can state here is that the federal government has never forgotten Penang although it is now under the opposition," Koh said.

- Bernama