The government has yet to make a decision on any rise in the highway toll rates this year, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said today.      

He said any decision on the matter would only be made after an in-depth laboratory discussion to determine the best way to reduce the financial burden on road users.      

"Do not assume that the government is completely insensitive to the plight of the people," he said when opening the Sungai Buaya tiered interchange at the Sungai Buaya toll plaza near Rawang.       

Najib cited as example the deferment of the rise in highway toll rates between 2008 and 2013.       

He said that between 2008 and 2011, the government paid compensation amounting to RM459 million; in 2012, RM329 million and in 2013, RM343 million, to highway concessionaires following the deferment of the toll rate increase.        

Najib said should the toll rate increase this year be postponed, the government has to pay RM404 million in compensation.     

He said apart from undertaking the toll rate compensation, other measures taken by the government to lighten the burden of the people included reducing toll at several toll plazas.     

"The government also closed several toll plazas under Plus (Projek Lebuh Raya Utara Selatan) and MTD (MTD Prime Sdn Bhd)," he said.     

The prime minister also disputed the action of a handful of people in questioning the government's action in not imposing a uniform toll rate for 30 years or throughout the concession period as it did not make sense.     

"If we were to do that, the toll rate on the first day will be very high.     

"On the other hand, we could impose lower rate in the beginning and increase it according to the affordability of the people so that we could also balance the rate with the highway constructor," he said.     

'Money better spent on schools'

Najib also clarified the government's move in not using public funds to build highways in the country and instead appoint concession companies was to ensure funds could be used for other development such as schools and hospitals.     

"If a highway was to cost RM5 billion to build, it would cost the government RM150 billion to build 30 highways.     

"Should such a large amount of money be expended, it would be difficult for us to build other projects which cannot be financed with loans from financial institutions such as for schools, hospitals and police stations," the prime minister said.     

Clarifying further, he said if highway construction was not handed over to concession companies which had their own commercial funding, then the people would have to wait for a long time to enjoy highway facilities.               

"This is a fact we have to understand. There are projects which have to be financed by the government and there are also projects that depend on commercial funding," he said.

Najib said the action taken by the government had enabled Malaysia own a network of highways touted to be among the best in the world as even foreign tourists had spoken highly of them.     

He said all parties need to evaluate from the logical aspect that without imposing toll, it would be difficult for the concession companies to obtain funds.     

"If there are parties who claim highways can be built without imposing tolls, it's a lie. We impose toll at a reasonable rate which does not burden the people," he said. 

Rising prices 'perception'

The prime minister also reminded the people to be discerning on the perception of rising prices of goods being attributed to the government as had been reported recently.          

"The price of fish rose due to the weather, do not blame the government. The price of cabbage imported from China went up maybe due to short supply... for that some are also blaming the government.     

"I know many parties have questioned the government as if we are responsible for everything that happens," he said.     

He said the people should not be too emotional and should instead look at the government's track record in protecting and fighting for them.     

On the construction of the interchange, Najib said it is a facility for the people around Rawang and Bukit Beruntung as the travelling time could be cut by up to 45 minutes.       

He said the RM85-million project was also proof of effective public-private partnership as it was completed in only 30 months.      

- Bernama