Pause in toll rate increases a critical buffer for hauliers: AMH
The Association of Malaysian Hauliers (AMH) welcomed the government's decision to halt planned toll hikes on 10 major highways this year, describing it as a timely intervention for an industry already grappling with rising costs.
Its executive secretary Mohamad Azuan Masud said the toll freeze gives hauliers some short-term relief and cost stability, as tolls are a major part of their operating expenses.
"As an industry that moves over 90 per cent of Malaysia's containerised goods by road, hauliers have long operated under tight margins, further pressured by increasing costs for spare parts, maintenance, compliance and wages.
"The freeze is a timely decision that allows transporters to plan operations more efficiently without unexpected toll adjustments mid-contract," he told Business Times.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said the government had postponed scheduled toll hikes on 10 highways to maintain the current rates for the public.
As a result, the government will bear costs exceeding RM500 million.
The highways include rthe Senai-Desaru Expressway, East Coast Expressway Phase 2, South Klang Valley Expressway, Butterworth Outer Ring Road and KL-Putrajaya Expressway.
Azuan, however, said hauliers remain cautious with regard to another key cost component: diesel fuel.
He said while the government had so far maintained fuel subsidies for commercial vehicles, the association was concerned about the upcoming shift towards a more targeted and potentially stricter implementation.
"While the intention to curb leakages is understandable, the administrative process for verifying eligibility and managing claims could become burdensome for transport companies already dealing with complex logistics and tight schedules," he added.
Therefore, the association urged the government to ensure that any mechanism for diesel subsidy targeting be streamlined, efficient and designed with minimal disruption to operations.
It also called for sufficient stakeholder engagement before implementation to avoid unintended consequences.
Additionally, the association stressed the need for fair support for hauliers, who form the backbone of land logistics, to ensure that cost control efforts translate into supply chain stability.
Azuan said the association sees the toll freeze as a positive first step, but emphasised that it should be part of a broader, long-term strategy to enhance the sustainability of Malaysia's logistics sector.
"This includes targeted incentives, infrastructure upgrades and inclusive policymaking. AMH remains committed to supporting the government's efforts through constructive dialogue and continued collaboration," he added.
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