Malaysia's Government Tradition: Free Tolls During Eid Holiday Season

For the past several years, the Malaysian government has established a tradition anticipated by the public ahead of Eid al-Fitr celebrations: discounting or waiving toll fees for those returning to their hometowns for the holidays.

This policy is regularly announced before the holiday season rush as a form of appreciation and an effort to lighten the financial burden on citizens wishing to return to their villages.

The toll waiver programme applies to various major expressway sections managed by different concession companies, covering intercity expressways that serve as primary routes for holiday travellers from the capital to various regions of Peninsular Malaysia.

Each year, the Malaysian government announces the duration of the toll waiver, typically lasting between one to four days, both before and after Eid al-Fitr during the return journey period.

According to Bernama news agency, this tradition forms part of the government’s strategy for managing the surge in vehicles during the festive season.

Additionally, the policy is viewed as a demonstration of government concern for its citizens, given that returning home is an important occasion for Malaysians to reunite with extended family.

The Eid holiday season in Malaysia is known as “balik kampung” (returning to one’s hometown), an annual tradition with strong emotional significance, similar to the homecoming tradition in Indonesia.

For instance, during the 2024 Eid season, the Malaysian government spent up to 37.6 million ringgit to waive tolls on several expressway sections. In contrast, for Eid 2025, the government did not fully waive toll fees but instead offered a 50 per cent discount for Class 1 vehicles.

The toll waiver announcement is made formally by the relevant ministry ahead of Eid. The government explains the applicable period, vehicle types eligible for the benefit, and which expressway sections are included in the programme.

The policy is accompanied by advisories to the public to plan their journeys carefully, ensure their vehicles are in good condition, and comply with traffic regulations for everyone’s safety.