No More Festive Toll-Free Travels This Year As Govt Mulls New ‘Targeted’ Approach

The govt will no longer give highway toll exemptions for festive holidays starting this year, revealed Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi this week.

The government reportedly announced that starting this year, it will no longer offer highway toll exemptions for festive holidays.

This decision was revealed by Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi who said the matter was decided during a cabinet meeting last year. He adds that the decision aligns with the government’s shift towards targeted subsidies.

Moreover, the minister notes that the government seeks to replace the end of highway toll exemptions with a more targeted approach, and details for which are set for release later.

“We will announce in the near future [a more targeted approach]. Last year, the government decided that 2024 would be the last year for free tolls during the festive season,” said Alexander on the mater.

It is estimated that the govt spends an average of RM20 million per day compensating highway concessionaires for the festive toll-free travels mentioned last year.

The last round of highway toll-free travels for motorists was granted by the government during the recent 2024 Christmas holidays from Dec 23 to Dec 24, which reportedly costed some RM38 million.

Additionally, the government reportedly spent an average of RM20 million per day compensating highway concessionaires so that motorists can enjoy this festive perk.

Altogether, it is estimated that festive toll-free travels throughout last year (2024) costed the government a total of RM80.07 million in compensation to concessionaires during Aidil Fitri, Deepavali, Chinese New Year, as well as the recent Christmas holidays mentioned.