We Need To Talk

JOHOR BARU: The government will soon meet with the Singapore government to better explain on the implementation of the toll hike for the Causeway here on August 1, which has also triggered a matching toll by the republic's authorities next month.

The federal government will hold a meeting with their Singapore counterparts soon to discuss the matter in addition to explain the action of the recent increase in toll rates at the Sultan Iskandar Building's Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the Transport Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry have been tasked to meet their counterparts soon to convey the message, after being given the nod at a recent Cabinet meeting.

"As far as I know there is no prior agreement that the republic must match the toll rate if Malaysia also raises its toll.

"We need to explain to them (Singapore) that we are increasing our toll rate so that we can pay to the concessionaire of the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL)," Wee said after a closed-door meeting with
the hinese business community from more than 30 associations at the Johor Baru Wisma Tiong-Hua here today.

Also present was Johor tourism, domestic trade and consumerism committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong.

The toll charges for cars will increase from S$1.20 (RM3.03) to S$6.50 (RM16.44) while the charges for vans and light goods vehicles from S$1.90 (RM4.81) to S$9.80 (RM24.79). Heavy goods vehicles S$2.60 (RM6.58) to S$13 (RM32.88). Taxis S$0.60 (RM1.52) to S$3.30 (RM8.35) and buses S$1.00 (RM2.53) to S$5.30 (RM13.40).