Commentary Freedom Of Choice Must Drive Malaysia S Multi Lane Free Flow Toll Era

---

 
THESE days, the conversation on toll payments is moving fast – though not always in the same lane.
A plethora of tools – from using RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags to systems that read licence plates – are set to be rolled out soon. Many Malaysians are now asking: will we soon be able to drive through tolls without ever stopping?
The idea is appealing. But before we rush ahead, it helps to be clear on what is really happening, hence what should matter most to the public.
The multi-lane free flow concept a.k.a. MLFF is the vision of barrier-less tolling. In theory, vehicles pass through highways without slowing or queuing, thanks to sensors and cameras detecting them as they go.
The government has allowed each highway concessionaire to choose its preferred technology partner, meaning RFID, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) or a hybrid mix are tools toward that aim.

Not fully barrier-less
Yet a full MLFF system is not yet in place. What’s being trialled still has barriers, gantries and phased deployments. These are transitional safeguards more than the final version.
Malaysia’s contactless smart card system pioneer Touch ’n Go Sdn Bhd in partnership with Star Systems International is said to be piloting an RFID-based MLFF solution along the Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway near Alam Impian.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has also confirmed that PLUS Malaysia will launch a pilot open-toll system using ANPR from October 2025. That pilot involving nine toll plazas will cover the Hutan Kampung to Sungai Dua stretch in Kedah.
As Touch ’n Go’s rolls out its proof-of-concept MLFF solution while PLUS launches its full-fledged ANPR via the industry developed JustGo app in Penang and Kedah, the Works Ministry has made clear that private firms will take the lead in implementation.
Under this model, concessionaires partner directly with technology providers with the financial responsibility rests entirely with them.


Beyond the tech hype
These are novel developments that change how we pay our tolls when we pass through the nation’s arteries by land. But because these developments generate excitement, we should not lose sight of several fundamental principles:
MLFF is a destination – not a single technology: The pathways (whether via RFID, ANPR or hybrid) matter less than reaching the barrier-less outcome.The goal must be a barrier-free MLFF system: The gantries and barriers we see today should only be temporary measures, not what should define the system’s future. Those who have been to countries like Singapore and Australia can attest to how efficient the systems there are.A truly user-friendly system sans forcing every driver to use a physical device: Reliance on devices risks detection failures from bad installation, sub-standard parts, obscured tags or tinted glass. Real conditions often differ from ideal trials.Road users’ choice and competition must be protected: Malaysians should not be locked into one provider or system. In line with the Madani administration’s goals, we do not want to breed monopoly or foment cronyism.Allowing each toll operator to pick its partner is not a weakness but a strength. It fosters innovation and prevents a single system from dominating by default.
The ultimate goal should be a barrier-free MLFF system that has been successfully implemented in many developed countries, including neighbouring Singapore and Australia (Image credit: MyNorthwest.com)Why choice must remain central to the transition
The fact is that many drivers still rely on cash or avoid digital payments for valid personal, technical or financial reasons.
The shift to a barrierless future must accommodate diversity rather than force uniformity. The way current toll plazas support multiple payment methods is a useful model to carry forward.
Barrier-less tolling promises efficiency and smoother traffic. But to better serve the rakyat, the roll-out must be transparent, competitive and consumer-oriented.
At the end of the day, what matters is not that one “best” provider was chosen for us but that consumers (in this case vehicle owners) have real, interoperable options. –  Focus Malaysia

---