Dr Mahathir: Gov't hasn't figured out how to reduce toll
- 5 years ago
The government has not yet decided on the method for reducing the toll, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.
Commenting on former Council of Eminent Persons chairperson Daim Zainuddin’s statement that the government is capable of cutting toll rates by up to 25 percent, Mahathir said there were several suggestions from the private sector to take over the highway concessions but the possible toll rate cut was not up to 25 percent.
"We are now facing problems. We promised to abolish tolls, but if tolls are abolished, the government’s burden will increase tremendously.
"For example if we abolish the North-South Highway (Plus) toll, the government has to buy over the highway for RM30 billion. Better to use that money to pay debts, can reduce our burden a bit,” he told a media conference after chairing the National Finance Council meeting in Putrajaya on Monday.
Commenting on former Council of Eminent Persons chairperson Daim Zainuddin’s statement that the government is capable of cutting toll rates by up to 25 percent, Mahathir said there were several suggestions from the private sector to take over the highway concessions but the possible toll rate cut was not up to 25 percent.
"We are now facing problems. We promised to abolish tolls, but if tolls are abolished, the government’s burden will increase tremendously.
"For example if we abolish the North-South Highway (Plus) toll, the government has to buy over the highway for RM30 billion. Better to use that money to pay debts, can reduce our burden a bit,” he told a media conference after chairing the National Finance Council meeting in Putrajaya on Monday.