Azmin not convinced private bidders for PLUS can reduce toll rates

Azmin not convinced private bidders for PLUS can reduce toll rates

The economic affairs minister questions the offers to buy over PLUS Malaysia Bhd.

The government has received several offers to take PLUS highways private.
KUALA LUMPUR:
Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali says it is impossible for private companies to abolish or reduce toll rates, as promised by several bidders for highway concessionaire PLUS Malaysia Bhd.

Azmin said privatising PLUS will only increase toll rates, and would therefore not fulfil Pakatan Harapan’s pledge of abolishing tolls.

“Now, Khazanah owns 51% of PLUS and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) 49%. Why do you want to privatise it?

“We don’t want to burden the people because according to our manifesto, we will discuss with concessionaires in phases to lessen their burden,” Azmin told reporters in Parliament today.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that the government would study all proposals to acquire PLUS. The prime minister however said proposals received thus far were not attractive enough.

Azmin said the goal of Khazanah and EPF is to benefit the people, unlike private bidders who are profit-oriented.

“Unless the private sector can abolish tolls after purchase, then good luck to them if they acquire PLUS,” added Azmin.

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