Toll abolishment at one part of the NPE

I do not understand what really happen in highway concession agreement. The toll amounted of RM1.60 can be abolished as simple as that. Why not at the first place, since their opening, I think the toll can be charged at minimal rate such as RM0.50, (but please do not say that I support the toll). Samy Vellu cannot even do that, but the new minister Ir. Mohd. Zin can even abolished it. I'm left with question in my mind, if the government can do this, what is their secret that Samy Vellu is kept pretending that he cannot even lower the toll rate? If the government need to compensate to the concessioner at certain amount because of this, what is the figure that the tax payer's money that was used?.....

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/2/13/nation/20090213195954&sec=nation

Published: Friday February 13, 2009 MYT 8:00:00 PM - The Star
Updated: Friday February 13, 2009 MYT 8:22:38 PM
Toll on part of NPE abolished
By LESTER KONG


PETALING JAYA: Toll collection at the Kuala Lumpur-bound toll plaza at PJS2 on the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) will be abolished as of 12:01am Saturday.

The Cabinet decided to do away with the RM1.60 toll last week, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed on Friday.

“The decision by the Cabinet was a consequence of the Works Ministry’s memorandum to abolish the toll,” he said during the announcement ceremony of the abolition.

He said removing the toll was also meant to soften the effects of economic uncertainties for the residents of PJS 1 and 2, who had to pay RM1.60 toll every time they drove towards Kuala Lumpur since April 2004.

Mohd Zin did not specify the amount of compensation to be paid to concessionaire NPE Sdn Bhd. Officials of the consessionaire could not be reached.

A small but noisy crowd of Umno, PAS and PKR supporters turned up to support the abolition of the toll, which was considered a Valentine’s Day gift not only to road users heading to Kuala Lumpur but also for the 30,000 residents of nearby Taman Medan and Kampung Dato’ Haron.

However, Taman Medan assemblyman Haniza Mohd Talha (PKR) said the Government must also abolish the toll on the opposite side of the highway, heading towards Subang Jaya and Kelana Jaya.