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Gov’t exploring ways so tolls won’t go up in 2016
Published:  Dec 16, 2015 11:00 PM
Updated: 3:05 PM

The government will negotiate with six highway concessionaires to find a way to stop toll hikes next year.

“The government understands the economic burdens shouldered by the people and will negotiate with concessionaires to find a solution to the issue,” the Works Ministry said in a statement tonight.

The Works Ministry said according to concession agreements, six highways are eligible for toll hikes in 2016.

Otherwise the government will have to pay RM593 million in compensation, as per the concession agreements.

“The negotiations will aim to seek a win-win situation for the government and the concessionaires,” it said.

It did not specify which highways are eligible for toll hikes but it was reported that the North-South Expressway (Plus) is among them.

However, this breaches BN’s 2013 general election manifesto of no rise in inter-city highway tolls.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had said he will fight against the Plus toll hike.

He had in his Umno Youth policy speech at the annual general assembly urged for a halt of all future policy decisions which could raise cost of living.

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, however, noted that Khairy is part of the same cabinet which approved revision of power rebates and price of natural gas sold to power producer Tenaga Nasional Bhd, resulting in higher tariffs for end-users.

Responding to critics on Twitter, Khairy said he bears collective responsibility for all earlier decisions made, but will fight future moves that could raise prices.

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