Probe to be launched into RM3.46bil MLFF toll system, says PAC chairman

PETALING JAYA: A probe will be launched into the RM3.46bil Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection system (MLFF) under the Works Ministry, says Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman said that the committee members have unanimously agreed to initiate proceedings regarding the management of the MLFF's implementation, under the existing parliamentary Standing Order.

"The Works Ministry will be summoned to the proceedings as well as the representatives of the Malaysian Highways Authority (LLM) to explain the implementation of the MLFF system," she said in a statement on Monday (Jan 22).

The proceedings will be conducted under Dewan Rakyat’s Standing Order 77(1)(d), Treasury Instruction 301 Year 2023, and Section III Article 11 (b) General Circular No. 2 (1982), she added.

The Works Ministry announced on March 30 last year that it had allocated RM3.46bil for the implementation of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection system by 2025 to overcome and reduce congestion on highways, especially at toll plazas.

Its Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the government was committed to upgrading the quality of highway management, especially in terms of toll collection so that road users need not face congestion at toll plazas when making payments.

The MLFF is a barrier-free system designed to replace the existing booth-based toll collection system with an overhead structure called a gantry.

This gantry would collect toll payments using radio-frequency identification devices (RFID) in conjunction with an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system.

On a separate matter, Mas Ermieyati said that the PAC has completed its proceedings for all seven issues identified from the Auditor General's Report for 2022.

The issues included the Langkawi Development Authority's (Lada) management of property development; Integrated Foreign Workers Management System (ePPAx) and Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS); UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd company, forest management and environmental impact; National Flood Forecasting and Warning Program; and management, upgrading and redevelopment of dilapidated school buildings.

She said that the PAC has fully completed proceedings for three issues; Lada's management of property development, UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd, and the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme.

"Proceedings for the other four issues will continue with follow-up sessions, as the PAC believes that there are still explanations to be provided by the ministry concerning the topics involved," she added.

She also said that the PAC will conduct a working visit to Sarawak and Sabah to inspect dilapidated buildings in schools to complete the proceedings related to these issues.

Mas Ermieyati then added that the PAC is committed to presenting all reports in Parliament, which is scheduled to begin on Feb 26.