Latest news with #PakatanHarapan
The Sun
an hour ago
- Business
- The Sun
Abolishing tolls not feasible, says minister
PETALING JAYA: Abolishing highway tolls is not a simple solution as it would require the government to set aside billions of ringgit for highway maintenance and infrastructure, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Replying to a supplementary question from Besut MP Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh, Nanta said the funds could be better allocated to develop infrastructure in states with limited highway access, such as Terengganu, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak. 'It's not an easy move. If tolls are removed, the government must bear the cost of maintaining these highways and that figure runs into the billions.' He added that a more realistic and sustainable approach would be to reduce toll rates once highway concessionaires have recovered their return on investment (ROI). Nanta's remarks came in response to a question about the government's 2022 manifesto pledge to abolish tolls. In the lead-up to the 2022 general election, Pakatan Harapan promised to eliminate tolls on the North-South Expressway (PLUS) if given the mandate to govern. However, Nanta said a complete removal may not be necessary if concessionaires have already recouped their investments. 'Once the ROI has been achieved, we can revisit the rates, particularly if they are burdensome to the public.' In a related development, Nanta said the government's move to postpone toll hikes at 10 highways is expected to benefit close to one million users, particularly Class 1 vehicle drivers. (Class 1 is the category for trucks, lorries or large and heavy commercial vehicles). He said the decision followed a significant gap between current toll rates and those outlined in concession agreements which permitted increases ranging from 50 sen to RM4.56, or a 79% to 83% hike. 'For example, on the MEX Expressway, the toll rate set for 2025 is RM6.90, but users are currently paying RM3.50 per trip. That's a saving of RM6.80 for a round trip. Over 20 working days, that amounts to RM136 in monthly savings, or RM1,632 annually.' Nanta was responding to a question from Pekan MP Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali on the potential impact on motorists had the toll hikes not been deferred. On July 23, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government had agreed to postpone the planned toll rate increases as part of an 'announcement of appreciation for Malaysians', allowing users to continue paying the current rates. The highways included in the deferment are the MEX Expressway, South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Senai–Desaru Expressway (SDE), Duta–Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) and Kuala Lumpur–Kuala Selangor Expressway (Latar).
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
High Court dismisses Dzulkefly's bid to recuse JC Arziah in Najib defamation suit
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court dismissed Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad's application to recuse Judicial Commissioner Arziah Mohamed Apandi from presiding over his defamation suit against former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The case revolves around a Facebook post alleging cronyism. JC Arziah ruled that Dzulkefly failed to prove any real risk of bias, stating, 'The relationship is between my father and the defendant (Najib), not between myself and any party. There is no evidence of any continuing relationship between my father and the defendant beyond a brief court appearance as a witness in 2019.' She added that her father, former Attorney General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, left office in 2018, making any connection to the case 'tenuous and historical.' Dzulkefly had sought Arziah's recusal, citing alleged bias from her remarks during case management hearings on March 7 and April 7. He argued that her comments on potentially striking out the case indicated bias. Additionally, he raised concerns over her familial ties to Apandi, who was appointed by Najib in 2016. Representing Dzulkefly, counsel Stanley Sabastien Sinnappen argued that these factors created a reasonable apprehension of bias. However, JC Arziah found no evidence of actual bias, stating, 'The application is accordingly dismissed.' The defamation suit, filed by Dzulkefly in January 2022, stems from a Facebook post by Najib on August 24, 2020, which included a screenshot of a Sinar Harian article. Dzulkefly claims the post implied he engaged in cronyism by awarding positions to relatives without merit. Najib, in his defence, argued the post targeted the Pakatan Harapan coalition, not Dzulkefly personally. – Bernama
Focus Malaysia
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Amid trust deficit at home, PMX gets a bouquet for settling Thai-Cambodia border conflict
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been experiencing a trust deficit in domestic politics with a slew of controversial policies drawing strong criticism from ordinary Malaysians, not least the implementation of an unpopular SST (Sales and Services Tax) expansion. Saturday's (July 26) Turun Anwar rally saw an estimated 18,000 disgruntled Malaysians – detractors claim that the figure should run into hundreds of thousands – took part in a peaceful march to voice their displeasure at PMX's leadership. However, in his role as a diplomat, in particular the 2025 ASEAN chairman, PMX seems to have scored some brownie points. Announcing the breakthrough on his Facebook page, PMX said disputing parties Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to a ceasefire from midnight of July 28. Clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops have erupted intermittently since May 28 with a fatal skirmish near the Preah Vihear area triggering renewed tensions. The situation escalated further on July 24, leading to several days of armed conflict. The ceasefire agreement which took effect at midnight followed a nearly two-and-a-half-hour meeting between Hun Manet and Phumtham at Anwar's official residence in Putrajaya yesterday (July 28). It was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since tensions escalated along their shared border. The US co-organised the meeting while China participated as an observer. Also present were US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan and Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing. As ASEAN chair, Malaysia is expected to coordinate the formation of an observer team to monitor compliance with the ceasefire. As reported in news portal Scoop, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington applauds the ceasefire declaration and is 'grateful to Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the talks'. He stressed the importance of both parties fully honouring their commitments and confirmed continued US engagement in the Malaysian-led peace process. Leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia also praised Anwar's role in mediating the ceasefire. The Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman's post has fetched some 20K likes, 2.3K comments and 2.1K shares at the time of writing with plenty of positive feedback and praises – both from Cambodians and Malaysians alike – highlighting that there are aspects of his leadership that still find favour. One commenter acknowledged that PMX was far from perfect but his efforts in instigating a ceasefire was to be applauded. He argued that those who criticise the 77-year-old simply did not know the hardships of war. Others pointed out that the eyes of the world were on Malaysia, keenly observing the mediation process. On this account, PMX seems to have garnered positive feedback in his role as ASEAN chair. Yes, PMX has done well practising the art of international diplomacy. For his own sake, it is hoped that PMX can display such leadership and decisiveness when dealing with domestic issues. His political survival very much depends on it. While such high-profile mediations may offer positive headlines, it is domestic affairs that will determine if he is to be given a further mandate by the Malaysian electorate. In the meantime, the positive media coverage is a welcome respite after the weekend's rally, underlining that in international affairs Malaysia seems to have got the right man for the job. – July 29, 2025
Free Malaysia Today
18 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Abolishing tolls would cost billions, says minister
The toll hike freeze was among the initiatives announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on July 23. PETALING JAYA : Abolishing tolls instead of deferring hikes may cost the government billions of ringgit in maintenance, says works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi. Nanta said scrapping tolls was not a straightforward move, and that deferring increases was a more practical and realistic option. Alexander Nanta Linggi. He added that savings from not abolishing tolls could be redirected to benefit Malaysians in states without tolled highways such as Sabah, Sarawak, and Terengganu. 'It's not easy to abolish tolls because the government must find a huge sum for maintenance work if that happens. 'In my view, we don't need to abolish tolls for now. But if these (concession) companies have achieved their returns on investment, and if the toll rates are burdensome, then we can reduce them,' he said during ministerial question time in the Dewan Rakyat. He did not specify the exact amount needed to abolish the tolls. Nanta was responding to Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN–Besut), who asked what had happened to Pakatan Harapan's pledge to abolish tolls during the 15th general election. He reiterated that the government was compensating highway concessionaries with RM568.92 million, or over half a billion ringgit. The deferral on 10 highways would also benefit about 941,000 users, he added. 'We hope this deferment will help ease the cost of living, especially for frequent highway users who commute to work each day,' he said. The toll hike freeze was among the initiatives announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on July 23, as part of what he described as 'appreciation for Malaysians'. The 10 highways involved in the deferment are the Cheras-Kajang Expressway (Grand Saga), KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR), North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKSB), Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE), East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2), South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (JSAHMS), Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), KL-Putrajaya Expressway (MEX), and Butterworth Outer Ring Road (LLB).
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Saifuddin challenges PN to suggest better policies
PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan next week will be the opposition's best chance to show their capability as an alternative bloc. PETALING JAYA : Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has challenged the opposition to propose better policies than those being implemented by the government, downplaying the Turun Anwar rally organised by PAS Youth yesterday. Saifuddin said the Madani government has taken several measures to alleviate the burden of the rising cost of living on the people, including increasing the amount of cash aid. Now, it is time for the opposition to show what alternative policies they have in mind, he said, according to Berita Harian. 'If you disagree with the government's policies, show us the welfare policies you have in mind,' he said. 'If you think the reduction of the price of RON95 petrol by six sen isn't enough, tell us how much you would reduce it by and through what mechanism; let the people compare. 'We have our policies and programmes, but they simply resort to insults and political sentiments. We reject such gutter politics.' Saifuddin said the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan next week would be the opposition's best chance to show their capability as an alternative bloc. 'The people want to know the ideas and policies they offer, not just shouting on the streets. So, showcase your policies in Parliament, let the people evaluate them,' he said. Saifuddin, the home minister, also criticised the Turun Anwar rally's organisers after some participants brought their children with them. He pointed out that this was not permitted under the Peaceful Assembly Act, and blamed PAS Youth for not giving rally-goers a clear reminder on this.
