KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 — The government has agreed to waive toll charges on December 23 and December 26 for highway users of all categories of vehicles in conjunction with Christmas on Monday (December 25), said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
The toll exemption was given to all types of vehicles at all toll plazas except the toll plazas at the national border, which include the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) toll and Tanjung Kupang toll in Johor.
“We hope the waiver will lighten the burden of Malaysians who plan to return to their home villages to visit family members, celebrate Christmas, or go on holiday with the family during the school holidays.
“This is in line with the intention of the Unity Government to help ease the burden of the people across the religious diversity and beliefs,” he said during a press conference at the Works Ministry today.
The toll-free gesture, in conjunction with Christmas, was agreed upon in the Cabinet meeting on December 6.
“The concessionaire does not give this free toll, it is given by the Finance Ministry,” Ahmad said.
The toll waiver involved a RM20 million cost a day, and giving the toll reprieve this time involves RM40 million with an estimated 2.1 million vehicles on the highway during the Christmas holiday.
He said that for 2023, the toll exemption given during the earlier celebrations involved a cost of RM206.19 million, and this amount did not include the toll exemption for two days in conjunction with Christmas.
The selection of December 23 and December 26 on Saturday and Tuesday for free tolls is also aimed at preventing traffic congestion on the day of the journey back to the hometown and returning back to the city.
Ahmad said the selection of the two dates could also optimise the operation and coordination of additional logistics and other logistics needs involving third parties along the lay-bys and rest and service (R&R) areas on the highway.
He hopes highway users will be able to take advantage of this opportunity and plan their journey as well as comply with the travel time advisory (TTA) recommendations.
Users also need to focus on safety aspects by adhering to the speed limit, signages, and regulations along the highway.
— Bernama
