Malaysians are waiting for news of lower car prices, the slow disappearance of Approved Permit (AP) kings and import tax incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles in line with global climate issues and clean air.
The Budget 2020 seems to take care of the common Malaysian and it starts right with toll charges. The Malaysian government will work with PLUS Malaysia Bhd which could see 18% discount on toll rates, saving some RM1.13 billion for users and RM43 billion until the end of concessions in 2038.
The Malaysian government has agreed to take over four Klang Valley inner city toll operators, which is Kesas, LDP, SPRINT and the Smart Tunnel. There will be no extension of the existing concessions.
Congestion charges will be introduced and toll rates reduced during off-peak hours.
The takeover of highways will not burden the government as the funding will come from the collection of congestion charges.
The government will standardise toll rates at the first and second Penang bridges, to a lower RM7.00.
If Sabah and Sarawak state governments wish to participate in targeted fuel subsidies, the federal government will accept their request. As it stands, both states will continue to enjoy ceiling rates of RM2.08 for RON95 and RM2.18 for diesel.
The government will implement the use of biodiesel B20 for the transport sector, starting from the end of 2020. Expected volume is 500,000 tonnes a year which will be rolled out in stages.
The government will allocate a healthy RM450 million for the purchase of 500 electric public buses to be used nationwide in selected cities.
The government will proceed with Rapid Transit System (RTS) project between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
The government to ease congestion at the Singapore Causeway and 2nd Link, will invest RM85 million beginning 2020 towards enhancing vehicle and traffic flow through the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex.
The government will open an additional 50 counters for motorcyclists.
More details will be shared tomorrow when we get the full report.
