SHAH ALAM, 7 Feb: Among the benefits received by concession companies compares to citizens is that they receive continuous profitable compensation, in addition to continuous collection of toll despite there not being an increase in the rates this year.
This was the reaction expressed by the Jigga 13 Coordinator, Fariz Musa, who said that the government continues to bow to the will of concessionaires and public funds continue to be manipulated to meet their needs.
He said that this was unusual even though all this time various objections made by the people finally resulted in toll rates not increasing, but wastage of funds continues to happen.
“As usual, concessionaires do not only profit one-fold, but many times over because the government paid (compensation of) RM400 million to 14 highway concessionaires involved in toll collection.
“This proves that the government bows and agrees to toll concessionaires. Whatever the actions of concessionaires involving agreements, the government will defend it to a point o willing to use public funds in whatever way to protect the interests of concessionaires,” he told Selangor Kini today.
Yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, announced that there will not be an increase in toll rates this year and that the government has to provide RM400 million in compensation to concessionaires involved.
He said that although RM400 million is seen being used to pay compensation to 14 concessionaires, however it is among the Malaysian people’s successes in urging the government, following a series of increases faced since the increase in price of fuel last year.
“Congratulations to the people for their power in protesting against the increase in toll rates as announced previously by the government,” he said.
