FEB 27 ― On 10 March 2012 it was reported in the New Straits Times that “Motorists will have to pay RM7 to use the Second Penang Bridge that is scheduled to complete in September next year, until 2038.”

This statement was made by Concessionaire Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) Managing Director Datuk Dr Ismail Mohamed Taib.

Today, the same Dr Ismail is saying that “the toll will not be higher than RM10. The toll rate will be less than RM10 but above RM7.”

When making the announcement in 2012, he had said that although the RM4.5 billion second bridge was twice longer than the first one, the toll rates would be the same.

“The original plan was RM9.40 for the second bridge as the first was supposed to increase to RM9.

"Now that the first Penang Bridge is confirmed at RM7, so we will follow," he told reporters after witnessing the installation of the last pier of the Second Penang Bridge at Batu Maung.”

The NST report had also stated that the federal government had extended the concession period for the Penang Bridge to Dec 31, 2038, in exchange for a freeze on toll hikes.

The concessionaire was given an extended period to collect tolls (till 2038, or 24 years) in exchange for maintaining the toll at RM7 in line with the toll for the Penang Bridge. Now, this deal is thrown to the winds and the toll “will not be more than RM10”.

Does this mean the toll will now be RM9.40 as originally planned? Or even RM9.90?

Further, as the toll for the two bridges was supposed to be the same, does this mean the toll for the other bridge will be increased as well?

With traffic increasing by the leaps and bounds, in 24 years the concessionaire would be able to recoup many times over what was spent on the construction. So why go back on the word given in 2012 on the toll rates? What is a reasonable return on an investment?

The authorities must honour the pledges that are made.

So please honour the pledge that the toll would be RM7.00 

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.