UMNO AGM Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has pinned the blame on former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the increase in KLIA Ekpres fare price from RM35 to RM55.

Commenting on the grouses expressed by the people and Umno delegates alike on the matter, the Umno president pointed out that the agreement was signed in 1997.

“It wasn’t signed one or two years ago, it was a long-time concession," he said in his winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre today.

Najib did not specifically name Mahathir but at the mention of "1997", some delegates were heard shouting the former premier's name.

At this, Najib smirked and said: "My way? My way or no way" in apparent reference to the song 'My Way' associated with Mahathir's 22 years as prime minister.

The former premier himself, in September, gained attention when he sang the Frank Sinatra tune for his birthday.

Najib also singled out YTL Corporation, which he pointed out owned Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd which controls the KLIA Ekspress concession, prompting jeers from the floor.

"Which is why I explained to the delegates that I inherited legacy problems on my shoulders.

"But I will correct these problems because I know the rakyat is angry," he said.

Najib branded the concession signed by the government leadership in 1997 as "one-sided".

"The price is not based on actual profit but projected profit... and the price is supposed to go up every five years.

"When I became prime minister, I said 'do not increase the prices'; there was no increase for 14 years.

"But do you know how much compensation we had to pay? RM2.9 billion. In the end we had to allow the fare to increase to RM55 or we will suffer - RM2.9 billion," he said.

He added that Putrajaya also had to renegotiate the concession and allow it to extend in order to keep prices down.

Najib also announced measures to help reduce the cost of travelling on KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit.

He said students who hold the Kad Siswa 1Malaysia will receive a 30 percent discount on KLIA Transit while civil servants in Putrajaya will also get more discount for monthly passes.