This was one of the issues discussed with economists in a dialogue session chaired by former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz yesterday.
A source told FMT that a review would be done of the tolls, but that no other details were presently available.
The source said infrastructure projects would also be reviewed, although there would be no bias towards China investments as long as there was appropriate governance and the cost was not excessive.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said last month that a PH government would end toll charges nationwide in stages.
He said tolls would only be abolished based on the contracts the government had signed with concessionaires.
In its election manifesto, PH had vowed to abolish toll collection and the GST, which it said would be replaced with the sales and services tax. It also pledged to implement targeted petrol subsidies, streamline minimum wages, suspend repayments of government study loans for those earning below RM4,000, and review mega projects in the country.
These were among 10 promises which the coalition had said it would fulfil within 100 days of forming the federal government.
According to the source, the changes to the GST are part of a comprehensive taxation review, which covers possible changes to corporation and income tax rates, including corporate gains tax and inheritance tax.
“The objective is to put more money back in the hands of consumers, especially those in the B40 income bracket, to improve social and economic well-being,” the source added.
The source also said the government was looking to reduce its role in the economy.
Zeti and Daim are part of the Council of Elders, which was set up by Mahathir as an interim advisory body to the government.
Its other members are former president and CEO of Petronas Hassan Merican, billionaire Robert Kuok and prominent economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram.