ID :
47973
Fri, 02/27/2009 - 17:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/47973
The shortlink copeid
I`LL ASK CABINET TO RECONSIDER TOLL HIKES - M`SIAN PM
By D. Arul Rajoo
PATTAYA, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
said he will ask the Cabinet to reconsider the toll increase along five
expressways between 0.68 sen and 50 sen effective March 1 because it was
presently inappropriate.
He said the review would be discussed at the Cabinet weekly meeting Friday
chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.
"Review is the best thing to do. After that we will make a just
decision," he told Malaysian journalists covering the Asean Defence Ministers
Meeting here Thursday.
The prime minister said although the increase was in accordance with the
terms of the concession agreements signed between the government and the highway
concessionaires, the decision given by the Cabinet several weeks ago might not
be appropriate with the current situation.
A new approach would be sought to deal with the issue including allocations
under the second stimulus package that would be tabled in Parliament next month,
he said.
Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed announced Thursday the toll increase would
involve the North-South Expressway, Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal
System Expressway, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, Sungai Besi Highway and
New Pantai Expressway.
Abdullah said since the Cabinet discussed and decided on the toll rates, the
situation had not improved and this prompted the government to disburse aid
allocations in the form of the second stimulus package which would be tabled as
a mini budget.
"If the government itself has taken this approach in view of the
difficulties faced by the people and besides that the economy can be stimulated,
I think this thing can be discussed again in the Cabinet taking into account
the present situation," he said.
He refused to say whether the toll increase would be deferred but he did say
that based on reports he had received, the people obviously could not accept the
hike.
Any decisions had to take into consideration the present situation, he said.
-- BERNAMA
PATTAYA, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
said he will ask the Cabinet to reconsider the toll increase along five
expressways between 0.68 sen and 50 sen effective March 1 because it was
presently inappropriate.
He said the review would be discussed at the Cabinet weekly meeting Friday
chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.
"Review is the best thing to do. After that we will make a just
decision," he told Malaysian journalists covering the Asean Defence Ministers
Meeting here Thursday.
The prime minister said although the increase was in accordance with the
terms of the concession agreements signed between the government and the highway
concessionaires, the decision given by the Cabinet several weeks ago might not
be appropriate with the current situation.
A new approach would be sought to deal with the issue including allocations
under the second stimulus package that would be tabled in Parliament next month,
he said.
Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed announced Thursday the toll increase would
involve the North-South Expressway, Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal
System Expressway, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, Sungai Besi Highway and
New Pantai Expressway.
Abdullah said since the Cabinet discussed and decided on the toll rates, the
situation had not improved and this prompted the government to disburse aid
allocations in the form of the second stimulus package which would be tabled as
a mini budget.
"If the government itself has taken this approach in view of the
difficulties faced by the people and besides that the economy can be stimulated,
I think this thing can be discussed again in the Cabinet taking into account
the present situation," he said.
He refused to say whether the toll increase would be deferred but he did say
that based on reports he had received, the people obviously could not accept the
hike.
Any decisions had to take into consideration the present situation, he said.
-- BERNAMA
