By P PREM KUMAR / Pic By TMR

The government has decided to freeze toll hikes at all 21 highways nationwide and abolish motorcycle tolls on three bridges in Penang and Johor, next year.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the move would cost the government RM994.43 million for the benefit of all Malaysians.

This is a marked enhancement from the Budget 2019 announcement made on Nov 2 where only toll hikes for intra-city highways would be frozen, he said in a statement today.

Lim said the decision to freeze the toll hikes by the Cabinet on Dec 12 would incur the government approximately RM972.75 million in compensation to toll operators.

“The comprehensive toll hike freeze is an ongoing effort by the Pakatan Harapan-led government to alleviate the burden of rising living costs borne by all Malaysians,” he said.

Lim also announced toll hike freeze for buses on eight additional highways, along with the abolition of motorcycle tolls for the Penang Bridge (First Penang Bridge), the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge (Second Penang Bridge) and the Second Link in Johor beginning Jan 1.

“Additionally, the Cabinet has agreed to freeze toll hikes for Class 5 vehicles (buses) with an estimated cost of RM1.68 million on eight separate highways.

“The government is currently studying the best method to fulfil its General Election manifesto as stated in the Buku Harapan,” he said, adding that the toll hike freeze is part of the efforts.