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		Road Toll Rates Are Too High Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-
		Yesterday, Dato' Seri S. Samy Vellu admitted that the LDP toll rate was too high (RM1.50 for private cars) because the 40 km highway cost RM1.13 billion and it had more than 12 interchanges, worth between RM25 million and RM35 million. True, it is very expensive to build and maintain a highway. There are various ways of solving this problem. The Government chooses to privatize in its own way, stressing that funds will then be available for other development projects. This sounds pleasing. But, the Government needs to explain further. Since July 1997, Malaysians have been reeling under economic crisis. The successive announcements of first the increase				in tariffs for four expressways after the Chinese New Year, then the imposition of toll along the LDP have caused a furore. The Cabinet has made a decision on the toll rate. Last year, the Government paid RM192 million to PLUS, the North-South Highway concessionaire. It also bears the burden of 60% of the increase in road tariffs. As the Works Minister has admitted that the LDP rate is too high, we urge him to work out a set of new rate which is more acceptable to the road-users as well as a revised version of the proposed increase of tariffs for the four expressways. Let the Cabinet reconsider the matter, to alleviate the anguish among the people. Dr Tan Seng Giaw



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