Sri Andalas assemblyperson Dr Xavier Jeyakumar has paid the toll charges incurred by drivers of 35 vehicles, which passed through the Batu Tiga booth on the Federal Highway on Sunday.

NONE He forked out RM38.50 at the Batu Tiga toll plaza at 3pm today, fulfilling the promise he had made on Sunday to compensate highway concessionaire Plus Expressway Bhd for its losses.

The number of vehicles were identified via CCTV cameras at the toll booth, as well as the licence plate numbers on the vehicles.

The drivers had secured ‘free passage’ during a protest against toll charges, when a protester disabled the bar at the toll booth, allowing vehicles to pass without paying the RM1.10 fee.

Jeyakumar stopped this by directing the protester to stand down, and later arranged to reimburse Plus.

However, he stressed that this did not mean he was supporting the continued operation of the toll, explaining he was merely being a “Good Samaritan” in helping the motorists pay what they owe.

“This is our responsibility, to give what is owed to Plus,” he said.

Bipartisan support for issue

The main aim of the protest, he said, had been to call for the abolition of toll charges at the Batu Tiga and Sg Rasau tolls.

NONE “We hold steadfast to the issue where tolls must be abolished across Malaysia, especially tolls in this area, Batu Tiga and Sg Rasau,” he said.

Toll collection has been going on for over 25 years now, he noted, making this an issue that all Malaysians across the political divide agree on.

“In only five minutes, 35 cars passed (through). You can count (how much is made in a day),” he said, estimating that about 400,000 vehicles pass through the Batu Tiga toll every day.

“This issue has not just been raised by opposition parties, but Umno has also held a demonstration .”

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