The Selangor state government should give back some of its toll profits if it wants to keep toll fares low, said an Umno Youth leader

Federal Territories Umno Youth chief Razlan Rafii said Shah Alam should work out a deal with Putrajaya to share the cost of compensation to toll concessionaires to keep prices down.

"If the Selangor government is against toll hikes, then give subsidies [...] Maybe the government can pay two-thirds of the compensation, and Selangor can pay the remainder.

"If Selangor only wants money to keep the toll profits for its own enjoyment, it shouldn't be that way," he told Malaysiakini .

Asked if giving subsidies will give the Selangor Pakatan Harapan government more political mileage, Razlan said: "No. This is a people's issue [...] If Selangor and the federal governments can agree (on sharing subsidies), it will benefit the people, not Pakatan," he said.

'Too steep, too soon'

The Selangor government, through its subsidiaries Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) and Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor (PKS), owns minority stakes in the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), the Sprint Expressway, and the Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas).

Effective today, the toll rates on the LDP were raised from RM1.60 to RM2.10.

Rates at the Plaza Damansara, Pantai, and Bukit Kiara toll booths on the Sprint Expressway are RM2, RM2.50, and RM3 respectively, in contrast with the old rates of RM1, RM1.50 and RM2 respectively.

Razlan said the toll hikes were too steep, too soon, and “(we) will raise objections”.

"It's a big a problem. The toll hike is too steep [...] We don't agree with it. Things are tough for the people, especially in the capital. The toll fares shouldn't have been raised now," he said.