I'll Ask Cabinet To Reconsider Toll Hikes - Abdullah

PATTAYA, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he will ask the Cabinet to reconsider the toll increase along five expressways between 0.68 sen and 50 sen effective March 1 because it was presently inappropriate.
He said the review would be discussed at the Cabinet weekly meeting tomorrow chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
"Review is the best thing to do. After that we will make a just decision," he told Malaysian journalists covering the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting here Thursday.
The prime minister said although the increase was in accordance with the terms of the concession agreements signed between the government and the highway concessionaires, the decision given by the Cabinet several weeks ago might not be appropriate with the current situation.
A new approach would be sought to deal with the issue including allocations under the second stimulus package that would be tabled in Parliament next month, he said.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed announced today the toll increase would involve the North-South Expressway, Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal System Expressway, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, Sungai Besi Highway and New Pantai Expressway.
Abdullah said since the Cabinet discussed and decided on the toll rates, the situation had not improved and this prompted the government to disburse aid allocations in the form of the second stimulus package which would be tabled as a mini budget.
"If the government itself has taken this approach in view of the difficulties faced by the people and besides that the economy can be stimulated, I think this thing can be discussed again in the Cabinet taking into account the present situation," he said.
He refused to say whether the toll increase would be deferred but he did say that based on reports he had received, the people obviously could not accept the hike.
Any decisions had to take into consideration the present situation, he said.

tunku : i thought everything is discussed in the cabinet meeting before any announcement.they should have discussed this thing before they announce it. in the time of hardship it is not appropriate for any increase for the toll.the government should have learnt their lesson before,do not make the same mistakes over and over again. think carefully and discuss things before announcing it to the public. with this decision of toll increase ,bn can forget of winning in bukit gantang and bukit selambau.