JB highway the most expensive, says MP

The Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) is the most expensive highway in Malaysia, both in terms of construction cost and toll collection, a DAP MP said today.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching said that EDL had cost RM148.15 million per kilometre, and will also end up making most profit at the end of its concession term when compared with other highways.

The EDL, built by Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) will reap RM4.3 billion in toll collection against the cost of RM1.2 billion to build it.

However, Teo said, the Ampang-KL Elevated Highway will only collect RM949 million in toll against a RM751 million cost.

The Guthrie Corridor Expressway will collect RM1.012 billion against a RM501 million cost, she added.

“Highway construction is not a charity and we acknowledge that concessionaire companies are not non-profit organisations. However, there must be a limit to profit reaping,” she said.

“Why does it seem that MRCB is allowed to collect more toll than other concessionaire companies?” she asked.

She said that MRCB will be making the most profit compared to the other highways, without taking into account future traffic volume and toll hikes.

“What was the mechanism used to calculate toll rate and profit for the concessionaire companies? The government must be transparent in handling toll hike and all concession agreements should be made public,” she said.