OPPOSE TOLL HIKES GUARANTEEING HUGE PROFITS FOR TOLL COMPANIES

DAP opposes toll hikes of 20-60% on the five Klang Valley highways as an unfair economic burden on ordinary Malaysians.

The construction cost for the highways of which the toll rates are revised in January 2007, was RM4.13 billion. However, the government has already agreed to pay RM4.86 billion in compensation to the highway companies.

That is RM739 million or almost 18% more than the actual cost of constructing the highway! Why guarantee these highway companies such phenomenal profits even before their concession period ends in the next 20-30 years? This RM 739 million profit does not include the hundreds of millions of ringgit paid by you annually at toll booths.

It is cheaper and more beneficial to Malaysians if the Government buys over the highways instead of raising the toll rate and paying unnecessary compensation.

What is more, the government classifies the highway contracts under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). OSA is supposed to protect national interests and our country's security but is now abused to protect the interests of private companies. The public has the right to know why we are paying high toll rates to guarantee the huge profits of the highway companies.

We must oppose BN's highway robbery … that's why we need a stronger DAP.