Malaysia shelves toll roads

Malaysia shelves toll roads

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The Malaysian government is to defer 20 privatized highway projects following criticism of recent toll increases, Works Minister S. Samy Vellu was reported as saying Friday.

The Star newspaper quoted Samy as saying the projects would not be implemented unless the public was willing to pay for using them.

"However, projects for which agreements have been signed or implemented will be continued to completion," he added.

Lim noted that the government had said it would have to pay 85 million ringgit (US$22.37 million) to compensate highway concessionaire Litrak Bhd. for the one-third cut in toll rates.

"As the 85 million ringgit will have to come from the taxpayers, this is unacceptable and grossly unfair to the 20 million Malaysians who do not use the highway," he said.