KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Motorists travelling across the country for the Deepavali celebrations will enjoy a 50 per cent toll discount on Friday and Saturday, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi announced today.

The festive waiver takes effect from 12.00am on Friday and concludes at 11.59pm on Saturday. Putrajaya estimates the two-day toll concession will require approximately RM20.11 million in federal compensation payouts to highway concessionaires, subject to post-holiday traffic volume verifications.

The discount applies to private Class 1 passenger vehicles across all interstate expressways, alongside Class 2 commercial vehicles crossing the Penang Bridge.

However, standard toll charges remain in force at the country’s two southern international border crossings: the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) toll plaza on the North-South Expressway and the Tanjung Kupang toll plaza along the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link (Linkedua).

“This decision reflects the MADANI Government’s continued concern and commitment to safeguarding the welfare and well-being of the people, regardless of race, religion or belief, while strengthening the spirit of unity and harmony within Malaysia’s multiracial society.

“This initiative is expected to help ease the people’s travel expenses, particularly for members of the Hindu community who return to their hometowns or visit family members to celebrate Deepavali, thereby giving greater meaning to the festive spirit through family ties and togetherness,” the minister said.

The Works Ministry, through the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), will supervise operational coordination with all highway concessionaires to guarantee smooth implementation across automated lanes.

The ministry urged long-distance drivers to plan their travel times carefully to avoid peak bottleneck hours, maintain adequate credit balances in their Touch ‘n Go cards and RFID e-wallets, and track live traffic updates through LLM’s official monitoring channels.

Extending festive greetings to the Hindu community, the ministry expressed hope that the celebrations would foster warmth, harmony, and mutual respect across Malaysia’s multiracial society, while wishing all holidaymakers safe journeys to their hometowns.