Rosli Azad Khan said an open payment system was already being used in most parking lots in the country, accepting cashless payments in the form of credit or debit cards, Touch ‘n Go as well as e-wallets.

He said even government departments, such as the road transport department and immigration department, accept cashless payments from the public.

“There is no reason why toll operators cannot do the same,” Rosli, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, told FMT.

He added that consumers should be given a choice on the best option to pay at toll booths.

Earlier today, works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi announced that five highways would be implementing an open payment system by September.

The five highways are Sungai Besi, New Pantai Expressway, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, Guthrie Corridor Expressway and the Penang bridge.

Two consumer associations agreed with Rosli’s call for the system to be expanded to toll booths across the country.

Fomca secretary-general Paul Selvaraj said it is one of the solutions to deal with the monopoly on highway toll collection.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently said the government would review Touch ’n Go’s monopoly on highway toll collection because the system lacked significant improvement and development.

“We are supportive of an open system where people can use what they want (to make payments),” Selvaraj said.

Malaysia Consumers Movement deputy president Beninder Singh said an open payment system would encourage competition within the digital payment sector and push them to innovate and offer better services to the public.

“The time for implementation is now, the government doesn’t need to conduct more studies.”