Yesterday, the ministry said that both technologies would be phased out in stages in favour of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

In a statement, Penyatuan Pemain Industri Pengangkutan Darat Malaysia said that while it welcomed the government’s move to embrace new technology, it was “surprised by the approach taken by the ministry to stop the use of Touch-N-Go and SmartTags.”

“Will the ministry reimburse the losses incurred by tens of millions of consumers who have spent their money on Touch-N-Go cards and SmartTags,” asked the group’s chief activist Kamarudin Hussain.

“We think that the ministry should maintain the use of Touch-N-Go and SmartTags in order to give consumers the opportunity to choose the service they want to use instead of forcing them to use RFID only.”

With the number of cars on the road increasing, he said that the ministry should be focused on easing congestion, which is particularly bad during festive seasons, by widening highways and adding more booths at toll plazas.

“In addition, the ministry also needs to look at the congestion that often occurs at rest stops, especially for heavy vehicles.”