More funds for beneficial schemes, economists say after toll waivers scrapped

Free Malaysia Today

They say the funds, previously used to compensate concessionaires for toll exemptions, can now be channelled to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah initiative.  Read More:  https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/01/23/more-funds-for-beneficial-schemes-economists-say-after-toll-waivers-scrapped/  Laporan Lanjut:  https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2025/01/23/penjimatan-tamat-tol-percuma-boleh-naik-bantuan-str-tambah-baik-kemudahan-awam/  Free Malaysia Today is an independent, bi-lingual news portal with a focus on Malaysian current affairs.    Subscribe to our channel - http://bit.ly/2Qo08ry   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check us out at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com Follow FMT on Facebook: https://bit.ly/49JJoo5 Follow FMT on Dailymotion: https://bit.ly/2WGITHM Follow FMT on X: https://bit.ly/48zARSW  Follow FMT on Instagram: https://bit.ly/48Cq76h Follow FMT on TikTok : https://bit.ly/3uKuQFp Follow FMT Berita on TikTok: https://bit.ly/48vpnQG  Follow FMT Telegram - https://bit.ly/42VyzMX Follow FMT LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/42YytEb Follow FMT Lifestyle on Instagram: https://bit.ly/42WrsUj Follow FMT on WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/49GMbxW  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Download FMT News App: Google Play – http://bit.ly/2YSuV46 App Store – https://apple.co/2HNH7gZ Huawei AppGallery - https://bit.ly/2D2OpNP  #FMTNews #TollWaivers #AlexanderNantaLinggi

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00:00The millions of ringgit potentially saved following the decision to end toll waivers during festive seasons

00:07will allow the government to spend the money on more beneficial initiatives for the people, economists say.

00:13Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid of Universiti Kuala Lumpur and Abu Sofian Yacob of Universiti Malaysia Gelantan

00:21said the funds could now be used to boost the Sumbangan Tunai Ramah initiative.

00:26They said the money could also be used to improve the public transport system

00:31and even schemes to help improve productivity.

00:34It was estimated that Putrajaya had spent over RM350 million on toll exemptions,

00:40an initiative introduced by the Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Pakatan Harapan administration in 2018.

00:47However, Aimi said not everyone had enjoyed these waivers

00:52as some preferred not to travel due to the congestion during such periods.

00:57He added the money saved could be used to help alleviate the cost of living for Malaysians.

01:03On Tuesday, Works Minister Alexander Nantalingi said the government would no longer give toll exemptions for festive seasons

01:11but would replace these waivers with a more targeted approach, with further announcements to be made in the near future.

01:18Sofian said the funds saved could provide better access to education in terms of schooling aid and to improve the healthcare sector.

01:26However, he added that toll waivers could still be given by the concessionaires themselves.

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