00:00A former board member of an agency under the Transport Ministry has hailed the government's
00:06decision to end toll waivers during festive seasons, saying such policies are counterproductive
00:13in reducing congestion.
00:15In a statement, Shahrim Tamrin, who was with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research
00:20for three years, said giving toll exemptions during festive seasons was akin to pouring
00:25kerosene on a fire in view of the heavy traffic expected during these periods.
00:31Shahrim said toll-free travel also led to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions and
00:36outdoor air pollution.
00:38According to research, he said road transport contributed to over 70% of air pollution in
00:44urban areas and was the second-largest contributor to total carbon dioxide emissions in Malaysia
00:50at 21% in 2016.
00:54Yesterday, Works Minister Alexander Nantalingi said the government would no longer give toll
00:59exemptions for festive seasons and would replace these waivers with a more targeted approach
01:04without further elaborations.
01:07Shahrim said the decision to end toll waivers was long overdue as taxpayers' money had
01:13been used to compensate highway concessionaires during toll-free days.
01:18And these funds could be set aside to encourage the lower-income group to use land public
01:23transport modes.
01:25It was reported that the government forked out RM80 million to provide toll exemptions
01:30for the festive seasons last year.
01:33Pan Yujo, FMT News.
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