Toll Free Bukan Percuma: Kerajaan Bayar Pampasan Tol Guna Duit Rakyat, Kata Menteri Kerja Raya

Brothers and sisters on two wheels, have you ever wondered why some toll rates seem to stay the same, or why certain highways are free for motorcycles? Well, here’s a reality check that many road users, including us bikers, might not often think about. When toll fares are stable and there are no price hikes, it’s usually because the government is busy compensating toll concessionaires with public funds. Not exactly an ideal scenario, kan? It seems the real winners here are the toll companies, thanks to their iron-clad concession agreements.

The big question is, how long can our government keep absorbing the difference between the actual toll rates the concessionaires are legally entitled to charge and what they actually collect from us, the rakyat? This involves huge financial and policy implications for the government.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi elaborated that any decision regarding toll rates must come from the cabinet. He explained, "Because if it’s based on the agreement, these toll rates are due for a review upwards, meaning toll rates would increase."

"Since the public may still be burdened with rising living costs, the government is currently holding back and asking companies to postpone any upward review of toll rates. The public should understand that when toll hikes are deferred, it is the government that pays," he added, as reported by Bernama.

Where Does All That Public Money Go?

The figures are quite eye-opening. Since 2016, a whopping RM7.7 billion has been spent on toll compensation. For 2026 alone, RM591.56 million from the public purse has been allocated just to prevent toll hikes on 10 different highways. Imagine what that kind of money could do for our motorcycle infrastructure, eh?

Rahman Hussin, co-founder of MY Mobility Vision, points out the bigger picture. "We are essentially subsidising private vehicle use at the expense of all Malaysians, including those in rural areas, public transport users and households without private vehicles. For motorists (and yes, motorcyclists too!), the benefit is immediate and visible: no toll increase. But is this the most effective use of limited public funds at a time when Malaysia’s transport system, and its public finances, are under increasing pressure?"

Better Ways to Spend Our Tax Money?

Rahman suggests a different approach: "When you look at the compensation figures, they could easily fund thousands of additional daily bus trips in major urban corridors for a year. This money could also be used to expand feeder services that determine whether public transport is viable for working households. Instead, it is deployed as a recurring operating expense, one that stabilises toll rates without expanding transport capacity or reducing long-term demand."

Think about it from a biker's perspective. That money, instead of going to toll concessionaires, could potentially be used for:

• Dedicated, well-maintained motorcycle lanes on more highways, enhancing safety and flow.
• Better road surfaces, fixing those potholes that are a nightmare for two-wheelers.
• Improved lighting and safety features along popular motorcycle routes.
• More designated rest stops (R&R) with proper facilities for bikers on long rides.
• Subsidies for public transport options that could encourage more people to leave their bikes (and cars) at home, reducing congestion and wear-and-tear on roads.

What This Means For You, The Malaysian Rider

Even if you mostly ride on highways where bikes are exempted from tolls, this issue still affects you. The public funds used for compensation come from all taxpayers – including money from your road tax, import duties on bikes, and other taxes. It’s everyone’s money being used. So, while we enjoy the current toll rates, it's crucial to understand the bigger picture and ask if these funds could be better utilized to improve the overall road experience, especially for the two-wheeled community.

At the end of the day, every ringgit spent by the government is our money. We, the Malaysian riding community, deserve to know and question whether these expenditures are truly the most effective for the well-being of all road users.