This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on December 8, 2025 - December 14, 2025

GENTING Malaysia Bhd’s (KL:GENM) plan to introduce a private road charge for Jalan Genting Highlands is expected to have a minimal impact on visitor flows and the local property market, according to industry executives and analysts.

Authorities have clarified that the upcoming fee is not a toll but a charge by Genting Malaysia to offset rising upkeep costs. The group has fully funded the maintenance of the 24km private road and its slopes since the 1960s.

Heavy usage has accelerated wear and tear, requiring continuous repairs to maintain safety, the group said in a Nov 13 statement. While the group did not disclose its expenditures, industry estimates place annual highway maintenance of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway at roughly RM1 million per kilometre.

According to Genting Malaysia’s 2024 annual report, visitor arrivals to Genting Highlands rose 12.9% to 28.1 million in 2024 from 24.9 million the year before, supported by a workforce of 10,847.

A recent site visit by The Edge found two road-charge stations under construction. The first (see map for Station A) is about 20km from the Gombak toll (closer to Genting Permai) while the second (Station B) is at the Gohtong Jaya roundabout.

The information board at the Gohtong Jaya site indicates that the project — involving upgrades to the Gohtong Jaya roundabout, tunnel and the building of a road-charge station and electrical substation — is being undertaken by Lingkaran Cekap Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned unit of Genting Malaysia.

Local shop owners at Gohtong Jaya tell The Edge that the nearby road-charge station is for those coming in from Batang Kali while the other station (Station A) is for those coming from Karak/Kuala Lumpur.

“Well, it looks like it’s opening soon. There may be some rebate given to Genting Group’s members or visitors via its app (Resort World Genting app), which makes sense. The group has spent so much over the years for maintenance. Its own members will probably be taken care of. Others will just have to pay a road charge,” says a local resident.

Although rumours in 2023 suggested a charge of RM2.50 to RM3, Genting Malaysia has yet to confirm the fee structure.

Property consultants expect the impact of the charge to be marginal.

Savills Malaysia group managing director Datuk Paul Khong says the fee will be a minor cost relative to the overall experience of visiting Genting Highlands, a destination favoured by both local and international tourists. He adds that while some visitors may initially complain, the charge will likely be accepted over time.

Adzman Shah Ariffin, CEO of ExaStrata Solutions, says investors remain insulated due to the long-term returns, while local residents and casual visitors may feel the impact more acutely. He acknowledges that short-term fluctuations in visitor numbers could occur among price-­sensitive groups, but emphasises that iconic destinations such as Genting Highlands, Genting Highlands Premium Outlets and the casinos continue to exert strong appeal, particularly among weekend visitors, bikers and car enthusiasts.

CBRE | WTW group managing director Tan Ka Leong says the proposed charge is intended to support ongoing maintenance and safety enhancements, but cautions that with key details such as fee levels, implementation timelines and exemptions still undisclosed, an assessment of its full implications is premature.

Even so, he expects limited disruption, particularly among tourists and overnight guests who are unlikely to be deterred by a modest fee, although casual day-trippers may be more sensitive. “For the property market, however, the effect is likely to be minimal as buyers of hilltop residences are typically lifestyle- or investment-driven, and demand in this segment tends to be less affected by small mobility-related costs,” he says.

“In a broader sense, the proposed charge may even bring indirect benefits if it contributes to improved road quality and better traffic management in the future, which would be positive for businesses, hoteliers and developers alike. Based on the information currently available, the proposed vehicle charge is not expected to materially affect new developments in Genting Highlands.”

Genting Highlands continues to attract significant property development.

Last year, LBS Bina Group Bhd (KL:LBS) launched Rimbawan, a 315-acre leasehold township. Bayu Hills, a 37-­storey apartment block within the township, comprises 642 units with built-ups of 500 to 1,067 sq ft and priced from RM501,000.

In Gohtong Jaya, Genting Malaysia and Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd are jointly developing Genting Xintiandi, a 60-acre project unveiled in 2023. Its first phase features four towers of serviced apartments totalling 2,600 units, with a gross development value exceeding RM20 billion across eight phases.

Tropicana Corp Bhd (KL:TROP) is progressing with Tropicana WindCity, a 596-acre integrated township divided into three master plans: Tropicana Grandhill (112 acres), Tropicana Paradise (308 acres) and Tropicana Avalon (176 acres).

According to the developer, its TwinPines Serviced Suites at Tropicana Grandhill has achieved a take-up rate of 90% for Block A. Tropicana Paradise, offering bungalow plots and a recreational hub, has recorded a 50% take-up, while Tropicana Avalon’s first phase, Breeze Hill Shoppes and serviced apartments, has seen its ground floor fully sold and a more than 30% take-up for its upper levels. 

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