50% Toll Discount for Chinese New Year (January 27-28)
50% Toll Discount for Chinese New Year (January 27-28)
The government has announced a 50% discounton highway tolls for Chinese New Year (CNY). This discount is for Class 1 private vehicles and will apply to all toll plazas,except for border crossings at the Sultan Iskandar Building Toll Plaza on the PLUS North-South Highway and the Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza on the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Expressway (Linkedua). The discount starts at 12:01 AM on Monday, January 27, and ends at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, January 28.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the government will spend about RM20.08 million to cover the cost for toll companies. From 2023 to 2024, the government has already spent RM356.18 million to provide free tolls for festivals like Hari Raya, CNY, Deepavali, and Christmas.
Earlier, the minister had announced on January 21 that free tolls for festivals would stop, based on a Cabinet decision made on December 20.
On January 22, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that free tolls don’t solve traffic jams during festive seasons. The next day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a new plan was being prepared to make sure toll discounts are given only to people who need them.
Things changed on January 23when Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the decision might be reviewed. The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) also asked the government to give free tolls for CNY.
Finally, the Cabinet decided to offer the 50% toll discount, saying it is part of their plan to support unity and help the people. This decision was possible because of the government’s strong finances, thanks to savings from subsidy programs and increased investment and trade.
Philippines