Umno calls Putrajaya's move on toll concessions a bailout of Gamuda
SEMENYIH POLLS | Umno acting president Mohamad Hasan has questioned the government's move to acquire the four highway concessions which Gamuda Bhd has a majority stake in.
Putrajaya yesterday announced it had entered into talks with Gamuda to negotiate the acquisitions, in line with its promise to abolish toll collection in stages...
SEMENYIH POLLS | Umno acting president Mohamad Hasan has questioned the government's move to acquire the four highway concessions which Gamuda Bhd has a majority stake in.
Putrajaya yesterday announced it had entered into talks with Gamuda to negotiate the acquisitions, in line with its promise to abolish toll collection in stages.
"How much of the government funds will be used? The government had told that it has no money, that means now they have to borrow money (to acquire the highway concessions).
"Why the need to borrow money to bailout Gamuda?" the former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar told the media after a walkabout programme at Kampung Sungai Jai in Beranang today.
Mohamad said the Works Department has yet to present its research on the acquisition, but the government had announced about acquiring the highway concessions.
He accused the government of playing politics with the announcement to win the hearts of Semenyih voters.
Mohamad also asked why the government is not acquiring Plus Malaysia Berhad instead.
"Khazanah and EPF have their shares in Plus. It's better for the government to bail out or take over Plus.
"While Gamuda is privately owned and the government doesn't need to fork out money to operate Gamuda. So why the need to fork out billions of ringgit to bailout Gamuda?"
He said the toll abolition is not a priority now as there are many poor people, notably in rural areas out there, who need the government's assistance.
"They had removed BR1M and replaced it with BSH (Bantuan Sara Hidup) which only gives a meagre RM100 for unmarried people.
"I would agree if the government wants to borrow RM5 billion to help the people in the rural area and upgrade the health facilities," he said.
The government is expected to do away with the existing toll mechanism and replace it with a congestion charge.
The four highways involved in the initial discussion with Gamuda are the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), Western KL Traffic Dispersal System (Sprint Expressway), Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas) and the Smart Tunnel.
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