KUALA LUMPUR, June 12—Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadilllah Yusof confirmed that the toll rate increase at 16 highways was raised in the Cabinet meeting today, but urged the press not to speculate on the matter.
This comes after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad suggested that the proposed increase may be needed to pay for Putrajaya’s “soured loans”, in a veiled reference to troubled state strategic investment firm 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
“Cabinet members also gave their views and I will study in detail each and every suggestion put forth before making a decision,” Fadillah said in a statement tonight.
“The ministry requests the media’s cooperation not to speculate on the topic of the toll rate increase.”
The minister added that he will engage with the relevant parties on the matter.
Earlier today, Malay language daily Berita Harian reported that the Works Ministry will present a proposal to raise toll rates for 16 highways this August during today’s Cabinet meeting.
The Malay language daily said the increase will be between 20 sen and RM1, although it did not name the source of the information.
Last November, the government decided to postpone raising the toll rates for 20 highways in the country that were supposed to increase this year.
Following that, the concession companies were compensated RM558.69 million.
