More Funds For Beneficial Schemes Economists Say After Toll Waivers Scrapped

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Economist Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid said the funds saved from doing away with toll waivers could be used for the distribution of cash aid to help alleviate the cost of living.
PETALING JAYA: The millions of ringgit potentially saved following the decision to end toll waivers during festive seasons will allow the government to spend the money on more beneficial initiatives for the people, economists say.
Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid of Universiti Kuala Lumpur and Abu Sofian Yaacob of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan said the funds, previously used to compensate concessionaires for the toll exemptions, could now be used to boost the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah initiative.
The money could also be used to improve the public transport system and even schemes to help improve productivity, they said.
Aimi said the funds could be used for the more effective provision of aid for target groups, following the government’s decision to rationalise subsidies.
It was estimated that Putrajaya had spent over RM350 million on toll exemptions, an initiative introduced by the Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Pakatan Harapan administration in 2018.
However, Aimi said not everyone had enjoyed these waivers as some preferred not to travel due to the congestion during such periods.
“The money saved could be used for the distribution of cash aid which is more effective (in terms of helping alleviate the cost of living),” he told FMT.
On Tuesday, works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the government would no longer give toll exemptions for festive seasons but would replace these waivers with a “more targeted approach”.
He did not elaborate on the approach the government intends to take, but said it would be announced in the near future.
The decision was hailed by transport activist and former Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research board member Shahrim Tamrin, who said the toll waivers were counterproductive in reducing congestion.
Sofian said the funds saved from doing away with toll waivers could be used to provide better access to education, in terms of schooling aid, and to improve the healthcare sector.
“They could also be used to improve road safety which is vital to reducing fatal road accidents, especially during peak periods or festive seasons,” he said.
Sofian added however that toll waivers could still be given by the concessionaires themselves. - FMT

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