AS Malaysia gears up for the general election, Putrajaya has announced that six major highways in the Klang Valley will have their toll rates reduced in the next three months. 

The first phase will see a fare reduction starting October 20, which will involve Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, Guthrie Corridor Expressway, Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway, and Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway – all of which are under the purview of Kumpulan Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd.

A second phase, which will begin on January 1, will involve two other expressways – the Kajang-Seremban Highway and Sungai Besi Expressway – which are under IJM Corporation Bhd.

Caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the cabinet decided on the matter on May 18 and June 1, respectively. 

Ismail made the announcement during the launch of the Damansara-Shah Alam Highway today.

Ismail also announced that the RM4.2 billion, 20.1km highway, which connects Puncak Perdana to Penchala, will begin operations at midnight, and said users can commute toll-free until November 30. 

The Works Ministry in a statement today said the new toll charges and extensions to the concession period are still being finalised.

“Through the new restructuring, the government has saved around RM8.8 billion in form of compensation which was supposed to be paid to the concession companies.

“Moreover, road users will be able to enjoy lower toll charges to reduce their cost of living,” said the ministry.

In April, Putrajaya structured a deal to take over four Gamuda Bhd highways – the Shah Alam Expressway, SMART, Western KL Traffic Dispersal System, and Damansara-Puchong Expressway.

The move was designed to prevent toll charges from being raised until the end of the respective concession periods. – October 13, 2022.