However, Youth leader Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said he did not think the people would fall for PH’s “recycled” promises again.

In a posting on Facebook, he said: “Amazing! PH’s promises have made a comeback. (DAP chairman) Lim Guan Eng promised to abolish the PLUS North-South Expressway tolls if it wins GE15 (the general election). Looks like they never tire of making such promises. Raise your hand if you believe them.”

Puteri Umno chief Zahida Zarik Khan said she was not surprised by PH’s promises, which she described as “a repeat of their old script”.

“It’s possible that after this, they will repeat their promises of wiping out PTPTN debt (for student loans), one tax or another, all in the hopes of fooling the people. The people were fooled for 22 months. After this, if you hear any more of their promises, don’t believe them,” she said.

Lim was reported to have made the pledge on abolishing tolls at a pre-election campaign dinner in Jelapang, Perak.

He said PH had reduced tolls by 18% when the coalition was in power for 22 months from May 2018 to February 2020.

China Press reported that Lim, who was finance minister then, had said PH “can abolish tolls” on the highways if the coalition gets another five years in government.

Lim had been quoted as making a similar pledge in 2017, before PH’s historic win in May 2018. However, the PH government was toppled after 22 months in power.

The abolition of tolls on highways was among the coalition’s pledge for the 2018 general election, with PH saying it would be done “in stages”. In 2020, the PH government implemented an 18% reduction in tolls at the highway, saying it was in line with its manifesto.