Toll charges in Genting Highlands inappropriate, increases people's burden - Bentong Umno

KUANTAN - The proposal to build a toll boths in Gohtong Jaya towards Genting Highlands will add more pressure and burden to the rising cost of living of the people, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bentong Umno Acting Chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Zaini Salleh said the action was completely inappropriate and should not be allowed to be carried out even though the route was on private land.

He said the concerned parties should not build the toll plaza but instead needed to get approval from the authorities, the Malaysian Highways Authority (LLM) and the Public Works Ministry.

"So, I thank the Bentong Municipal Council for issuing an order to stop the works for the toll project.

"It is hoped that the authorities and the government will make the best decision so that people, especially the ordinary people can continue to visit Genting Highlands to relax and spend time with their families without having to pay tolls," he said in a statement today.

He said the Jalan Raja facilities were the main responsibility of the parties involved to provide to the public or customers to go to Genting Highlands.

He added that for a long time, the parties have been making profits since Genting Highlands was opened for more than 50 years, therefore there should be continuous corporate social responsibility (CSR) not only in Genting Highlands but the main road to it from Genting Sempah and Batang Kali.

"In May 2023, as reported, Genting Berhad recorded a profit of RM98.04 million in the first quarter ending March 31, 2023 compared to a net loss of RM199.68 in the same quarter of 2022, contributed mainly by the income of the holiday and hospitality division following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

"In a notification to Bursa Malaysia, Genting reportedly said revenue increased to RM5.82 billion from RM4.21 billion previously, mainly from the holiday and hospitality segment," he said.

Zaini said with the profit recorded, it was appropriate for Genting to continue the company's CSR to the people, especially in the aspect of providing good and perfect road facilities.

"Supposedly, the main road to Genting Highlands should always be well maintained for the comfort and safety of people visiting there, not to add to the people's burden by collecting tolls.

"I personally do not agree and hope that this issue is resolved well and without harming any party," he said.

Recently, a picture of the installation of a structure on Jalan Batang Kali-Gohtong Jaya went viral, thus attracting the attention of netizens who speculated that a toll plaza might be built there.

According to Sin Chew Daily's report, a spokesperson for Lingkaran Cekap Sdn Bhd confirmed the implementation of the toll.

The company will handle the tolls, but drivers will only be charged on the way to Genting Highlands and not when going down.