Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Abolish Batu Tiga and Sg Rasau toll, gov’t told

Harakahdaily, 28 March 2012

Mar 28: The Selangor state assembly today demanded the Federal government to abolish two tolls along the busy Federal Highway, namely Sg Rasau and Batu Tiga, following the government’s decision to scrap the Cheras-Kajang highway's toll charges earlier this month.

The motion was tabled by Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lau Weng San and supported by Selangor speaker Teng Chang Khim.

Lau (pic) said the Federal Highway has been the main channel to serve residents of Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang. He noted that it was built in 1974 to make Port Klang a main hub after Singapore's expulsion from Malaysia in 1965.

However, since 1995, Lau said PLUS was tasked by the Federal government to collect toll charges of RM1.10 for cars passing the Batu Tiga toll plaza and RM1.00 for Sg Rasau since 1995.

“So the daily journey will be RM4.20 every day for residents who use the road, especially those in Klang Valley. The worst part is that despite paying toll, they still have to endure massive traffic jams,” he said.

Lau’s motion also got support from Kota Alam Shah state assemblyman M Manoharan, saying the move would help the urban poor.

Tolls abolished, concessionaire profits

Meanwhile, Works minister Shaziman Mansor revealed that the Cheras-Kajang toll abolishment cost the government RM120.55 million as compensation, and resulted in concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd extending their toll collection by another 15 years to 2045.

In response, Serdang member of parliament Teo Nie Ching said there was no mention of such a deal.

"When prime minister Najib Razak made the announcement on March 1, he was fooling the public. He did not mention about the new agreement," she said.

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