KUALA LUMPUR – Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi today revealed that more concessionaires are interested in the open payment system for their respective highways, which allows road users to pay toll charges using debit and credit cards.
In a Facebook post today, Nanta said the new toll payment system has been implemented in five highways first to test the effectiveness of the new system and ensure there would be little to no issue to road users.
Nanta explained that the process of implementing the open payment system takes time, as it involves harmonising technical, legal and financial aspects.
“I would like to stress that this effort is not limited to just five highways. In fact, there are many more concessionaires that have shown interest to implement the open payment system,” he said.
Nanta also explained that breaking the monopoly of payment systems on Malaysian highways has been a top priority since taking office.
He also explained that the purview of implementing a new toll payment system falls under his ministry and urged cooperation from all respective stakeholders to ensure the system is implemented smoothly.
Nanta also clarified that the open payment system, dubbed the Multi-Lane Fast Flow (MLFF), should not be confused with the term Multi-Lane Free Flow.
“This is to avoid confusion among road users that the toll is free. MLFF is meant to alleviate (road) traffic while using tolled roads,” he said.
Previously, Nanta announced that the open payment system is likely to be implemented at five highways by September.
The highways are the Sg Besi Expressway, New Pantai Expressway, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, Guthrie Corridor Expressway, and Penang Bridge.
The news came as a relief to many Malaysians who for years have taken their grouses against Touch 'n Go’s (TnG) apparent monopoly of toll payment systems in the country.
In a recent news report, The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) secretary-general Datuk Paul Selva Raj also applauded the move by Nanta, calling it “timely” to end TnG’s monopoly and create better competition in the market.
Fomca has raised related issues, including poor service, overcharging, and poor-quality products such as “the overpriced RFID product”, which is reportedly “shoddy” and not working “as it should”. – The Vibes, March 24, 2023
