Dr M suggests Putrajaya hiking toll rates to pay for ‘soured’ loans

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today asserted that a rumoured toll rate hike for 16 major expressways may be to pay off Putrajaya’s debts.

Earlier today, Malay language daily Berita Harian reported that the Works Ministry will present a proposal to raise toll rates for 16 highways this August during today’s Cabinet meeting.

“Well maybe they collected RM6 billion for GST (Goods and Services Tax), but maybe they need to pay for the loans they took which has turned sour,” he said, possibly alluding to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) that is RM42 billion in debt.

Dr Mahathir was speaking during a press conference at Yayasan Al-Bukhary after attending an international conference to discuss the plight of the Rohingya community.

The Malay language daily said the increase will be between 20 sen and RM1, although it did not name the source of the information.

Last November, the government decided to postpone raising the toll rates for 20 highways in the country that were supposed to increase this year.

Following that, the concession companies were compensated RM558.69 million.

[“source-themalaymailonline.com”]