Works ministry secretary-general Azman Ibrahim said a draft of key parameters for MLFF implementation has been done, but engagement with highway concessionaires cannot begin until a Cabinet decision is made.

“We don’t want them (concessionaires) turning around and accusing us of pre-empting the process. So, that’s one thing,” he told the PAC during a May 20 proceeding, the transcript of which was included in the committee’s latest report on the project.

“Secondly, on the implementation timeline, considering the time it will take for engagement, for the concessionaires to run a request-for-proposal process, and for us to also establish a regulatory body to oversee everything, taking all these into account, the earliest we can expect implementation is in 2027.”

Azman also said the MLFF system’s legal framework exists under current legislation, but additional regulations will need to be introduced to facilitate enforcement and oversight.

Under the MLFF system, all exit and entry points on highways will be converted into barrier-free lanes to reduce congestion and ease traffic flow.

The system is part of the Malaysian ITS Blueprint (2019-2023), designed to modernise the country’s highway infrastructure.

However, the PAC had previously cautioned that the MLFF alone would not solve highway congestion issues.

It also warned against any high-impact agreements being signed during caretaker governments and urged that future decisions ensure no financial burden is passed to the government or road users.

No toll hike, no government funding

Azman also confirmed that the previous appointment of KJS-SEP Synergy JV to implement MLFF lapsed in December 2024 after it failed to secure buy-in from existing highway operators.

He said any future implementation must be led entirely by the concessionaires without government financial involvement.

He also said there must be no increase in toll rates as a result of the MLFF implementation.