SHAH ALAM, 15 Dec: The Federal Government should postpone the increase in toll rates, which is expected to begin in 2014, because it will add to the people’s burden following the various increase in goods and services.
The Communications Director of the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (FOMCA), Mohd Yusof Abd Rahman, said that the increase is said to be caused by the agreement of the concessionaires, which really only benefits one party.
He said that the biased agreement will eventually add to the people’s burden since various increases will begin in 2014.
“The toll rates have been revised many times. In the agreement, the toll rate will be revised every three years. If this is not done, the government has to pay compensation.
“Regarding this problem, it seems like the government no longer wants to pay it, therefore the toll rates will be increased and the government would have to allow if,” he said when contacted by Selangor Kini.
Yesterday, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Datik Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, stressed that the toll rates will increase next year.
According to the media report, Abdul Wahid said that the increase cannot be avoided because it is an express condition contained in the concession agreement between and highway concessionaires.
Yusof said that the government should be aware that there are various increases next year which will press the economy and increase the costs of living for citizens of the city.
“The government should also assess the one-sided agreement made without the public’s knowledge. Therefore, the government should postpone the toll rate revision so that it is not increased next year so that it will not adversely impact the people due to various burdens which will begin next year,” he said.
Rumours of the increase in toll rates started following a statement by the Public Works Minister, Datuk Fadillah Yusof, that there will be a revision of the toll rates next year between the government and highway concessionaires.
Newspapers have reported that the toll rates are likely to increase between 30 cents to RM1. There are 13 highways involved in the revision of the toll rates.