Works Minister Baru Bian has apologised for his remarks in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday in relation to the abolishment of tolls and that the people were “dreaming” if they thought this would happen.

"I am aware my statement in Parliament yesterday has made headlines and was deemed arrogant.

"A thousand apologies if it was perceived as such. No intention. It was my wrong use of the word terpulang.

“I meant 'Rakyat berhak mengharap toll dihapuskan tetapi keadaan kewangan tidak mengizinkan' (The people have a right to hope that tolls are abolished but the financial situation does not permit it)," he said on Twitter today.

Yesterday, during ministers' question time, Baru was asked by PAS Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari whether the people "could stop dreaming" of highways without tolls.

Baru responded "Mengenai soal adakah rakyat bermimpi, itu terpulang kepada rakyat" (On whether the rakyat are dreaming, that is up to them).

As part of its electoral pledges, Pakatan Harapan had promised to abolish tolls prior to the 14th general election.

However, after assuming federal power, it says it doesn't have enough funds to carry out the promise.

Baru said the government was instead considering other ways to lower costs for motorists including off-peak discounts for highway users.