No more free toll during festive travels

THE government has decided to stop providing toll exemptions during the festive season as implemented previously, reported Berita Harian.

Works Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, said the matter was decided in a Cabinet meeting last year.

However, he said, the government will replace the free toll privilege with a more targeted approach.

However, he did not provide details of the targeted approach.

"We will announce it soon (more targeted approach) … last year the government decided that 2024 will be the last year for free tolls during the festive season.

"This decision is because the government wants to align with more targeted subsidies. Details will be announced later," he told a press conference.

It was reported that the concession companies do not bear any financial implications due to the toll exemption during the festive season because the cost of providing free tolls is borne by the government.

On average, the government pays about RM20 million a day to highway concession companies through the implementation of free tolls.

Last year alone, the government paid RM80.07 million for Aidilfitri, RM42.31 million for Deepavali, RM41.21 million for Chinese New Year, and RM38 million for Christmas.

The free tolls given last Christmas were the last during the festive season provided by the government.- January 21, 2025