Malaysians will get to enjoy toll-free travel on all highways nationwide for two days on Jan 20 and 21 in conjunction with the Chinese New Year festivities, the prime minister has announced.

According to Anwar Ibrahim, the Transport and Works Ministries have discussed the initiative, which carries a financial implication of RM40 million, with concessionaires, and the latter agreed to it.

The toll-free travel will apply to all types of vehicles.

“(This initiative) will ease (the financial burden) of everyone travelling to their hometowns. Not only the Chinese, but the Malays, Indians, and others as well.

“I would just like to advise road users to be safe on the road, follow the rules and avoid becoming a part of (road accident) statistics that keep increasing every year,” the premier told a press conference after chairing the weekly cabinet meeting in Putrajaya today.

This Saturday is the eve of Chinese New Year when many will gather for reunion dinners while public holidays for the festivities fall on Jan 22, 23, and 24.

Plus Malaysia Bhd recently announced that it expects two million vehicles a day on the North-South Highway on peak days of the upcoming festival period, a 20 percent spike from the usual traffic volume. It has issued a travel advisory to address the issue.

In addition, the Works Ministry has reduced the speed limit on federal roads across the country by 10km per hour effective from Jan 18 to 27 in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.