THE government has agreed to allow toll-free rides and toll discounts of up to 50% to Malaysian families in conjunction with the upcoming Aidilfitri, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

In a statement, he said, highway users could enjoy the toll-free rides on April 30, May 1, 7 and 8 for their trips to and from their hometowns.

This, however, will only involve highways owned by PLUS Malaysia Berhad through its North-South Expressway network, and Anih Berhad, the East Coast Expressway.

He said the toll-free rides will begin at 12.01am on April 30 until 11.59pm on May 1, and from 12.01am on May 7 until 11.59pm on May 8, for all classes of vehicles.

Apart from that, toll discount of between 30% and 50% will also be given for all classes of vehicles on other highways during the same time and days.

Ismail said the move was taken following discussions with 30 highway concessionaires.

Overall, he said, the toll-free rides and toll discounts will involve 30 highways across the country with discounts to be enjoyed by users totalling RM77.11 million.

“The amount will be jointly borne by the government and the concessionaires,” he said.

The toll-free rides will be offered on the North-South Expressway, the North-South Expressway Central Link, Seremban-Port Dickson Expressway, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway, Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Expressway, Penang Bridge, East Coast Expressway 1 and 2 as well as KL-Karak Expressway.

The 50% toll discounts will be offered on the Shah Alam Expressway, Damansara-Puchong Expressway, Cheras-Kajang Expressway, Sungai Besi Expressway, New Pantai Expressway, Ampang-KL Elevated Highway, KL-Putrajaya Expressway and Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway.

Ismail expressed hope that the toll-free rides and discounts offered will help enliven up the Aidilfitri celebrations.

“The decision was made after taking into account the impact of the epidemic had on the source of income of the majority of Malaysian families and this is also to help alleviate the financial burden of highway users, especially those in the low-income group,” he said.

“At the same time, I do hope that we all, as the Malaysian family, can tolerate and be patient with the presence of millions of vehicles on the highways during the festive season. 

“Drive safely and always be careful on the road.” – Bernama, April 25, 2022.