Works Minister Fadillah Yusof was quoted in Sin Chew Daily as saying that privatising highways was therefore the best solution to ensure the highest standards and safety for road users.

“Building, managing and maintaining highways is very costly,” he was quoted as saying, while adding that the government had allocated over RM16.81 billion for the construction and upgrading of Federal roads under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

In dealing with toll rate issues, Fadillah said the government needed to look into its capability, concessionaires and public interest.

“The biggest challenge is to find a balance between not burdening the people while ensuring the financial viability of the concessionaires.”

Fadillah was recently reported saying that eight highways, including the North-South Expressway (Plus) would likely increase toll rates this year, according to agreements signed with the concessionaires.