PETALING JAYA: The Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club has called on the Government to stick to its 13th general election manifesto pledge to gradually reduce intra-city toll charges instead of raising them.
BNBBC chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Samad said that while the Government had yet to announce whether or not toll charges would be raised, it should bear in mind its GE13 promise.
“The main point here is that our manifesto states that toll charges will be reduced in stages and because of this the BNBBC hopes there will not be any increase at all,” said Shahrir.
The manifesto stated among other things that Barisan was committed to “the gradual reduction of intra-city tolls” within the next five years. Shahrir, who is Johor Baru Member of Parliament, said there was no immediate plan by the BNBBC to formally take up their reservations against a toll hike with the Government as there has been no confirmation of an increase.
“The issue is still being discussed by the Government and, as things stand, our members comprising MPs from many different constituencies do not all have the same view on the subject because not of all of them have tolled roads in their areas.”
While Barisan backbenchers from Sabah and many parts of Sarawak were not as worried over the prospects of a toll increase as these areas were not affected, other MPs, especially those with seats in the Klang Valley and other major urban centres were concerned, he added.
Shahrir said the Barisan backbenchers who are against a toll increase felt strongly about the issue because the reduction of toll charges was included in the manifesto which they had referred to when wooing voters.
“However, we are also mindful that not raising toll charges will mean that there may be a cost which the Government will need to incur,” he added.
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