GIVING free tolls to road users during festive seasons does not solve the problem of congestion, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said traffic congestion does not only happen in the Klang Valley but also during festival seasons on highways.

“Especially recently during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period, the government decided to give free toll to motorists, but this did not solve the problem of congestion.

“There must be a better way to solve this problem,” he told reporters today after chairing the Cabinet Committee Meeting on Road Congestion.

Last month, Putrajaya waived toll on 33 highways from April 19 to 21. It also provided toll-free travel on April 24.

On another note, Zahid said Kuala Lumpur City Hall and four other local councils in the Klang Valley were given 14 days to identify all road closures that had contributed to daily traffic congestion.

He said this was among several short-term measures to ease congestion in the capital and its surrounding areas.

He said the committee wanted roads closed due to construction works to be reopened as soon as possible.

“We have asked all local councils – Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and nearby areas – to provide their input in the technical committee meeting,” he said. – May 2, 2023.