Samy: If you want it, pay for it
Malaysiakini.com
Dec 14, 2006
Andrew Ong

Works Minister S Samy Vellu said if people want certain facilities then they should be willing to pay for them.

This was his response to a question on whether the 60 percent toll hike for the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP) was justified.

“If someone wants some facilities, then he has to pay for it. (It’s the same) every where in the world, not only here. The cheapest toll in the world is in Malaysia,” he told a press conference at his office in Kuala Lumpur today.

“When it is near festive seasons, try going into the federal roads. If you are (travelling) for Hari Raya (Aidilfitri) celebrations, we would only reach our destination after the festival is over,” he quipped.

According to Samy, the rates here are far cheaper than those in other countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

He also provided a comparison of the rates - Malaysia's Plus highway (RM0.136 per kilometre), Philippines (RM0.355), Thailand (RM0.227), China (RM0.276) and Indonesia (RM0.148).

Earlier, the minister announced that five highways in the Klang Valley will see an increase in toll rates between 20 to 60 percent. The new rates will take effect on Jan 1 next year.

Samy Vellu said a ‘compensation’ package valued at RM2.589 billion would be incurred by the government between Jan 1 and the next review, which varies between 2010 to 2012, of toll prices for the five concessionaires.

The sum includes direct cash payments to the concessionaire and extension of the concession period.

He said that the government has to date paid 'compensation' of RM479.7 million for the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP), RM371.8 million for Kesas Highway, RM226 million for Cheras-Kajang Highway, and RM1.197 billion for Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway.

Next review

At the request of journalists, the minister also announced that eight highways will be up for toll price review in 2008.

These are the North South Highway (Plus), Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, North South Expressway Central Link (Elite), Seremban-Port Dickson Highway, New North Klang Straits Bypass (Shahpadu), Malaysia-Singapore Second Link, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway, and the Penang Bridge.

“But there may not be a toll hike (for the Penang Bridge) because Penang people are special. We can’t raise the price,” he laughed.

Asked if the government would publicise highway concession agreements for public scrutiny, the veteran minister replied:

“I don’t think you (journalists) are smarter than (opposition leader) Lim Kit Siang. Are you? I put forward the whole concession (agreement) to Lim Kit Siang for nine hours. (He was) looking at it. There is nothing there to hide.

"The opposition have seen it, everybody has seen it. If you want to see the concession (agreement), you bring your experts and I will seek permission from the government to put it forward to you. If you can’t find any mistake, I will fine you RM50.”

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