Barrier-free toll system could roll out by 2027, says Works ministry
Speaking during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) proceeding on May 20, he said the proposed Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system was still pending cabinet approval, and discussions with highway concessionaires cannot proceed until a formal decision is made.
"We already have a draft outlining the parameters required to streamline the system. But until a cabinet decision is reached, we cannot engage with the concessionaires. We want to avoid the risk of being charged before anything is finalised," he said, according to the transcript of the proceeding, which was released today.
Azman said that the projected 2027 timeline took into account the need for stakeholder engagement, the request-for-proposal (RFP) process by concessionaires, and the establishment of a regulatory body to oversee the initiative.
"Taking all these factors into account, the earliest possible implementation would be in 2027," he said.
He also stressed that the MLFF system, once rolled out, must be fully concessionaire-led, without any government funding, and must not result in toll rate increases.
Azman said that while the legal framework for MLFF existed under current legislation, additional regulations would be necessary to enable enforcement and regulatory oversight.
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