SEREMBAN: The Government cannot afford to take over the country’s tolled highways as the cost can run into billions of ringgit, said Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
Such a move was also not possible as the shares in companies maintaining the highways were not owned by a single entity.
“This will be a massive burden on the Government. We cannot afford to take over these highways as the cost can run into billions of ringgit,” he told reporters after opening the SJK(T) Ladang Seremban in Sungai Gadut near here.
Samy Vellu was asked to comment on a proposal by Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad that if the Government were to take over the management of the north-south highway from Plus, the people would not be burdened by regular increases in toll rates.
Shahrir, who is also Public Accounts Committe chairman, said any toll imposed after that could be used to maintain these highways as well as to carry out other government projects.
He said the Cabinet would deliberate tomorrow on the suggestions submitted by his ministry on ways to reduce the burden on motorists due to the impending toll increase on most highways on Jan 1.
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