Latest news with #Nanta
The Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Toll hike delay eases burden for B40, says Nanta
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's decision to delay toll rate hikes on several highways aims to ease financial pressure on the B40 group, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. He called for understanding from concession companies, acknowledging the impact on their cash flow while stressing the need for shared responsibility. Nanta said, 'From a business perspective, they may not favour this delay as cash flow projections were part of their initial plans. However, we hope they recognise the government's intent to support vulnerable road users.' He spoke after the handover of the Letter of Acceptance for the Blackspot and Federal Road Maintenance Programme. The minister expressed gratitude to concessionaires for cooperating with the decision, which affects 10 highways, including the Senai-Desaru Expressway and East Coast Expressway 2. He noted that while agreements must be honoured, the current economic climate requires flexibility. On road safety, Nanta highlighted the success of the blackspot programme, reducing accidents by 25 to 60 per cent. This year, RM37 million has been allocated for repairs, with RM27.1 million already spent on 76 projects across 11 states. Streetlight installations will target only high-risk zones, not entire routes. - Bernama
Barnama
a day ago
- Business
- Barnama
Concession Companies Need To Understand Toll Hike Delay To Lighten People's Burden
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The decision to delay the increase in toll rates on several highways needs to be understood by concession companies in the context of the MADANI government's noble efforts to lighten the burden of the people, especially highway users among the B40. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said that although the move would affect the cash flow of highway concession companies, he believed that the government's real objective would be understood by all parties involved. 'In terms of the business model, they do not like it (delay in increase) … from the beginning when making the business proposal, cash flow has been taken into account. 'We understand, and this is undoubtedly disrupting their cash flow but I hope they understand why the government made this decision to ease the burden of road users, especially the B40 group,' he said here today. Nanta said this at a press conference after the handover of the Letter of Acceptance (SST) for the Blackspot and Federal Road Maintenance Programme in Peninsular Malaysia at the Works Ministry. The event was also attended by Works Ministry deputy secretary-general (Policy and Development) Datuk Mohd Sakeri Abdul Kadir. He also expressed his appreciation to the concession companies who cooperated and understood the government's decision to help the people in the current economic situation. He said the government also acknowledged that the concession companies had responsibilities based on the agreements signed, and any breach of the agreement had to be seen from the perspective of their interests. 'When there is a breach of this agreement, we have to understand it from their perspective because they borrowed their investment money and so on, and it needs to be repaid. 'They have a business model, return on investment (ROI), so we have to understand that is their big responsibility. So whatever is good for everyone, then all parties should work together," he explained.
The Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Independent auditors added to highway maintenance contracts for transparency
KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry (KKR) will include the involvement of independent auditors as a new component in highway maintenance contracts starting next year. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said third-party auditing is important to ensure that monitoring does not rely solely on the Public Works Department (JKR), but also involves external parties to enhance accountability, integrity and transparency. He said most of the maintenance contracts will expire in February 2026. 'Without external auditors, monitoring of concession companies would rely only on JKR officers to ensure that maintenance work is properly carried out,' he told Bernama after appearing as a guest on a Bernama Radio programme today. Nanta stressed that the public has the right to safe and quality road maintenance services, and that the ministry is committed to ensuring that the transition to a new system is not only more transparent but also effective in safeguarding the interests and safety of all road users. Meanwhile, during the programme, Nanta said every highway concessionaire entrusted with road maintenance must comply with the contract and carry out their duties efficiently and responsibly. He noted that there are still parties which fail to fulfil their responsibilities despite various public complaints, including viral images and videos. 'As such, I, along with senior KKR and JKR officers, have gone to the ground ourselves to investigate and assess actual performance in the field. 'The government will re-evaluate the need to impose legal action or penalties against road maintenance contractors or concessionaires if it is proven that negligence led to fatal accidents, especially if they stem from failure to carry out required maintenance work as stipulated in the contract,' he said. Nanta added that current maintenance contracts include clauses for payment deductions if contractors fail to deliver, including on road safety aspects. 'In addition, the contract also allows for termination if the contractor fails, is negligent, violates, or does not fulfil their responsibilities in carrying out routine maintenance as required,' he said. On the MYJalan mobile application, Nanta said that between August 2023 and June 30, 2025, it recorded 39,371 complaints. Of these, 11,959, or 30.4 per cent, were screened and identified for investigation and action by relevant agencies for roads under KKR's jurisdiction, while the remaining 27,412, or 69.6 per cent, were categorised as No Wrong Door (NWD) complaints. - Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
‘Toll hike delay eases burden on daily commuters'
Welcome move: Toll hike freeze involves 10 highways where toll rates are scheduled for a revision. PETALING JAYA: The postponement of toll rate hikes this year is expected to benefit and ease the burden of toll payments for about 941,000 users, particularly daily commuters travelling to work, says the Works Ministry. Its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the announcement would provide much-needed relief to the people. He said the government will bear over RM500mil in compensation to the affected concessionaires to ensure the highways continue operating safely and efficiently. 'This was not an easy decision, but it was made with careful consideration and full responsibility. 'It proves the voice of the people is heard and given priority in every policy implemented by the government,' he said in a statement. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced the toll hike freeze as part of the government's 'appreciation for the people' initiative aimed at alleviating cost-of-living pressures. Nanta applauds the move. The freeze involves 10 highways where toll rates are scheduled for a revision this year. Nanta said the move reflects the government's concern towards challenges faced by the people, especially those who commute daily for work. He also reiterated his ministry's commitment to ensuring the country's roads and highways remain in good condition, are safe to use, and are accessible to all, regardless of background. Meanwhile, incentives announced show that the government is aware of the realities faced by the rakyat, said the Parliament's Government Backbenchers Club. Its chief Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah said the announcement reflected the government's commitment in putting the people's interest first. 'It also goes to show that the government does not only implement policies but is aware of what is going on the ground. 'It proves that efforts are done to find a comprehensive solution to ensure shared prosperity,' he said. Mohd Shahar added the incentives announced by the Prime Minister would ease the cost of living, particularly for those in the B40 and M40 groups, which in turn could help spur the local economy in a more sustainable manner.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Toll hike postponement for 10 highways to benefit 900,000 users
KUALA LUMPUR: An estimated 941,000 highway users will benefit from the postponement of toll rate hikes for 10 highways nationwide, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the decision will help ease the burden of daily highway users, especially those commuting to work. 'As the Prime Minister stated, toll rates for the 10 affected highways were scheduled to increase this year, in line with agreements signed by the previous administration. 'However, the MADANI government fully understands the financial pressures faced by the public,' he said in a statement. To honour this commitment, Nanta said the government, through the Finance Ministry, will allocate over RM500 million in compensation to the concessionaires to ensure uninterrupted highway operations and safe, well-maintained infrastructure. Nanta said the move was not an easy one, but was made with thoughtful deliberation and a responsible approach. 'It reflects the government's commitment to listening to the people and placing their needs at the heart of every MADANI policy. 'The ministry and I remain fully committed to ensuring our roads and highways are safe, well-maintained, and accessible to all Malaysians,' he said. Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made a special announcement that the government had agreed to postpone toll rate increases for 10 highways, allowing users to continue enjoying current rates. Among the highways involved are the Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE), East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2), South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Butterworth Outer Ring Road (LLB), and Kuala Lumpur–Putrajaya Expressway (MEX). - Bernama
