DURING the Chinese New Year festivities, toll charges on highways in Malaysia will be reduced by 50% for Class One private vehicles at all toll plazas, except at entry points into the country like the Sultan Iskandar Building and the Second Link in Johor. The discount will last for 48 hours, from 12.01am on Monday (Jan 27) to 11.59pm on Tuesday (Jan 28).
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi announced that the government will compensate toll concessionaires with an estimated RM20.08mil for the discount. Since 2023, the government has spent RM356.18mil on festive season toll discounts.
However, 2024 will be the final year for such general discounts. Moving forward, the government plans to implement a more targeted approach, providing toll exemptions primarily for the B40 and M40 income groups.
Social media users criticised the Madani government for its sudden U-turn following backlash online. Initially, after announcing there would be no toll exemptions for Chinese New Year, netizens reminded the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration of its well-known campaign promise to eliminate tolls in certain areas.
The criticism appeared to prompt a response from the PH leadership, leading to the announcement of a 50% discount. However, the trolling of the Madani government continued despite the concession.
A social media user remarked that the toll discount seemed like an attempt by the government to cover up a misstep, questioning the sincerity of the move.
“50%? Let’s see if they do the same for other festivals,” the user wrote, expressing frustration with both sides of the political divide. They lamented the state of the country’s leadership, calling it ineffective and suggesting a bleak future.
It’s like trying to compensate for a blunder. 50%? Let’s see for the rest of the festivals.. both sides are equally rubbish. This country is doomed.
— MZ (@_MZ_1775) January 24, 2025
Another year, the government said it does not really have a targeted subsidy plan for toll gates, adding, “it’s only a theory”.
Ini bukan sabsidi bersasar.
Ini pukol sama rata.
Sabsidi bersasar ini hanya theori aje, tak ada solusi praktikal.— Aman (@AuFaitMY) January 24, 2025
Another user, however, said Malaysia likely has some of the lowest toll rates per km, but instead of prioritising critical infrastructure improvements, the focus remains on offering discounts and free tolls for popularity. — Jan 25, 2025
M’sia has probably the lowest toll rates per km. The main key highways, north south & elite from KLIA requires expansion! It cannot cope with traffic. Yet instead of addressing what is required by the nation to advance, discount and free tolls are given for popularity!
— Gideon Tan (@GideonTan26146) January 24, 2025
