KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 25): The federal government may consider "other proposals" after facing pushback from highway concessionaires on the implementation of the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) system.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said 13 out of 33 concessionaires had expressed their disagreement so far with the RM3.5 billion barrier-free toll system proposal, while negotiations are still ongoing with the remaining 20.
The negotiation process would continue until Dec 16, he said. "If we cannot get consent from all 33 [concessionaires], we will make another proposal," Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat during an oral question-and-answer session on Monday.
He did not elaborate on the alternatives.
The proposed MLFF system is designed to replace the current booth-based toll collection system with overhead gantries. The gantries will collect tolls using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, along with an automated number plate recognition system.
The system is estimated to cost RM3.46 billion to implement across 33 highways in Malaysia. The Ministry of Works has previously expressed hope that the system can be implemented by year end.
A private firm — 60%-owned by YTL Corp Bhd (KL:YTL) and 40%-owned by a state-linked entity—held a briefing with the Malaysian Highway Authority and the Ministry of Works in July last year to present its MLFF proposal to highway concessionaires, according to a report by The Edge Malaysia weekly.
One of the hurdles for implementing MLFF is the need to establish a new concession for the existing 33 concessionaires, which would result in a "concession of concessions”, Ahmad said.
Additionally, the government may need to amend certain laws, including to address the actions of parties who evade toll payments. With toll booths in place, toll fraud— such as crashing through toll gates or tailgating — currently only stands at 0.01%.
"But with the MLFF system, toll booths will be removed, and we might see an increase in toll evasion,” he said. “We will need to amend the law to clarify who will be responsible for those who evade paying the toll,” he added.
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