Review Underway For 12 Loss-Making Highways - Nanta

The Works Ministry is taking a hard look at 12 highway concessions that slipped into losses last year because of low traffic. Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the matter isn’t something the government can rush through.

“I cannot make a hasty statement, as the financial impact is substantial. The ministry will release an official update only after every detail is reviewed

"Please be patient. Once we have examined all the details, only then can we issue an official statement," he said.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan had earlier listed the affected concessions in Parliament. 

They include the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Maju Expressway, KL-Karak Expressway, East Coast Expressway Phase 1, Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway, Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway, Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway, South Klang Valley Expressway and the Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway.

Also on the list are the Senai-Desaru Expressway, Kajang-Seremban Highway, the SMART Tunnel, West Coast Expressway and the Butterworth Outer Ring Road.

Ahmad Maslan also reminded the Dewan Rakyat that new highway proposals must be backed by solid traffic and financial projections. 

“Anyone proposing new highways must calculate traffic and financial projections carefully. If traffic volume is insufficient, revenue will not cover operating costs, and eventually, the government will have to bear the losses when taking over the concession,” he stressed.