Decision on tolls only after submission of study, says works minister

The study by an independent consultant on the toll issue in the country is still ongoing and is only expected to be completed in May, said Works Minister Baru Bian.

When submitted, only then will the government make the final decision on the way forward on the issue, he added. 

According to him, only one or two toll concessionaires have come up with certain proposals that could be implemented in the meantime.

“In fact, we are looking at it at short term, medium term and long term. There are some proposals that are feasible that can be implemented in the immediate future - the short term.

“These are the things I think Tan Sri Muhyiddin (Yassin) was referring to. Not the whole subject matter of tolls,” he said when met by reporters after witnessing the installation ceremony of the PKR Sarawak's central zone branch in Sibu today.

Baru, who is also Selangau MP, was asked on the remark by Bersatu president Muhyiddin, who during his speech in a ceramah for the Semenyih by-election last night, that the cabinet might be making an announcement in regards to highway tolls very soon.

He was quoted as saying that the Pakatan Harapan government would be issuing a statement regarding tolls in a day or two.

Citing an example, Baru said among the good proposals offered by the concessionaires was a reduction of toll rates during certain seasons or times, which the government is looking at as well.

Meanwhile, Baru, who is also Sarawak PKR chairperson, said the state PKR leadership council will find the means and ways to help all the branches in preparing themselves for the 12th Sarawak state election, which he predicted will be held as early as the middle of next year.

Together with other parties in Harapan, Baru said they must work in unison as the chance to take over the state from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was high this time around.

-- Bernama