Connect with us

News

Tun M: It’s Impossible to Have Toll-Free Roads, This Manifesto is a Big Burden

Published

Tun M: It's Impossible to Have Toll-Free Roads, This Manifesto is a Big Burden - WORLD OF BUZZ 2
Source: The Straits Times

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.

Ever since Pakatan Harapan (PH) took over as the country’s new government after the events of GE14, one of PH’s promises stated in their manifesto excited many Malaysians. Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad stated right before the election that if they were elected into power, the PH government would slowly abolish tolls across the country in stages.

However, it looks like this plan might not come to fruition after the prime minister recently addressed this during the Asean Leader’s Gathering in Bali yesterday (11th October). He was quoted by Free Malaysia Today as saying,

“We made the manifesto thinking we would not be the government. Now we are the government, and this manifesto is a big burden.”

“At that time, I was against it. The only way to have freeways and no toll is to raise the price of petrol.”

Tun Dr Mahathir used England as an example of this, as while there are no tolls on their roads, they impose heavy taxes on petrol, which goes to road maintenance.

He then pointed out that it would also be difficult to maintain or even build new roads if tolls were completely done away with, saying,

“You tell the private sector to do the roads. They want to make money, but if you don’t have toll, how can you make money?”

The prime minister added that placing petroleum taxes would not be fair, as people who do not use the highway will also have to pay. Moreover, as petrol prices increase, so does the petrol tax.

“If you get the money out of the sale of petroleum, people who do not use the highway also have to pay. Here, (highway) users pay. This is our belief. The users pay. Those people who are not using (the roads), why should they pay?”

Tun Dr Mahathir’s statement comes just a week after Works Minister Baru Bian stated that the abolition of tolls could be finalised within two to three months and that the ministry is currently negotiating with stakeholders to find the best outcome, saying,

“The government will continue efforts to fulfil its promises in the PH manifesto, including the abolition of highway tolls, but we admit that it is not easy to implement due to the pressures on the government’s finances.”

According to Promise 6 in PH’s manifesto, which was released in the run-up to GE14, the coalition promised that if they were to come into power, they would review all highway concession agreements and renegotiate to take over them and eventually abolish all tolls while also providing sufficient compensation for the affected companies.

More recently, the prime minister stated that PH’s manifesto will need to be reviewed as some of its promises may cause great losses if implemented.

What are your thoughts on this latest development? Let us know in the comments below!

 

Also read: Tolls Could Be Completely Abolished Nationwide Within The Next 3 Months

Tolls Could Be Completely Abolished Nationwide Within Next 3 Months - WORLD OF BUZZ 2

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.



Just In

feat image underage girls rempit feat image underage girls rempit
News11 minutes ago

JPJ Mulls Legal Action Against Parents of Two 12yo KL Girls Caught Street Racing with Illegally Modified Motorbikes

Two underage girls were detained in Kuala Lumpur for illegal street racing yesterday (20 March) using motorcycles with illegally modified...

feat image multi storey feat image multi storey
News4 hours ago

Despite Mixed Public Reaction, PMX Says Up to 17-Storey Schools Will Be Built in KL, Putrajaya & Penang This Year

Previously, we shared the Government’s proposal of building new concept schools consisting of between 10 and 17 floors around the...

collage 77 collage 77
News18 hours ago

Primary School Boy Complains to PMX About Broken Toilets at School, All Toilets Repaired 2 Days Later

A video recently went viral showing a primary school kid meeting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and taking the chance to...

collage 70 1 collage 70 1
News19 hours ago

“It’s unconstitutional” – Penang MCA Secretary Slams PAS President Over Malay Muslim-Only Leadership Remark

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang recently shared his thoughts on Facebook after DAP suggested limiting the Prime Minister’s term to...

collage 69 1 collage 69 1
News20 hours ago

Thai Man Slashed with Parang After Allegedly Telling Wife He Wanted Chicken Rice When She Made Tomyam

A birthday celebration in Rayong, Thailand, went south when a woman attacked her husband with a machete on March 14...

feat image changii feat image changii
News22 hours ago

Chinese Woman Attacks Immigration Officer After Being Denied Entry to Singapore, Gets 8 Weeks in Jail

A Chinese woman recently turned aggressive after she was denied entry to Singapore and attacked an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority...

collage 68 1 collage 68 1
News22 hours ago

21yo Nanny Jailed 10 Months for Scalding Kids with Hot Spoon at Seremban Daycare Over Snacks

A 21-year-old nanny has been sentenced to 10 months in jail and fined RM20,000 by the Sessions Court today (March...

My Post 1 2025 03 20T130049.477 My Post 1 2025 03 20T130049.477
News22 hours ago

PDRM Arrests 5 Private Uni Students for Allegedly Running Robbery Ring Targeting Gay Individuals 

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has arrested 5 private university students for allegedly targeting gay individuals to rob them. The...

Announcement

Latest Videos



TRENDING TODAY