CNY Toll Discount To Ease Burden, Boost Holiday Travel - FOMCA, Road Users

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) – The government’s decision to provide a 50 per cent toll discount from the usual rate is expected to ease the financial burden of Malaysians travelling during the 2025 Chinese New Year celebrations.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) Chief Executive Officer Dr T Saravanan said the initiative would also stimulate domestic economic activity by encouraging travel and tourism during the festive holidays.

"A blanket subsidy such as the toll discount is the most practical and immediate solution to support consumers until the Central Database Hub (PADU) system is fully operational," he told Bernama today.

Saravanan explained that the initiative allowed aid to be delivered quickly without the complexities of verifying individual eligibility, which is challenging without a comprehensive and reliable data system.

He expressed hope that the PADU system would soon be fully utilised to facilitate a more targeted subsidy approach, enabling fairer distribution of subsidies and reducing government expenditure over time.

Saravanan added that a targeted system would enable assistance to reach those who need it most, particularly the B40 and M40 groups, while ensuring better fiscal management and resource allocation.

"In the interim, the blanket approach remains a necessary measure to support consumers, but moving forward, a more data-driven and targeted subsidy mechanism will be crucial to ensure sustainable and equitable financial assistance for Malaysians," he said.

Meanwhile, many road users expressed relief over the government’s decision to offer the toll discount, especially after the discontinuation of toll-free travel during festive seasons.

Civil servant Saw Jie Sheng, 24, said the discount would enable the public to share in the festive joy and use the facility to celebrate the occasion with their loved ones.

For public university student Muhammad Adli Anuar, 23, the initiative will reduce travel expenses for his trip home to Negeri Sembilan during the holidays.

"As a student, this really helps lower my costs for returning to my hometown," he said.

Another student, Brayen Gilbert, 21, said the move reflected the government’s concern over the rising cost of living, especially for frequent highway users.

"I’m grateful for this 50 per cent toll discount as it helps me save on travel expenses for my journey home," he said.

Today, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi announced that the government had agreed to provide a 50 per cent toll discount for all Class 1 (private) vehicles on Jan 27 and 28 in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations, with an estimated RM20.08 million allocated for compensation to the relevant concession companies.

-- BERNAMA