PUTRAJAYA: There will be no toll increases next year, at least not until the Cabinet had discussed the matter, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. 

"Why do you speculate? Wait until the Cabinet decides," he told reporters when questioned on the toll increase that was announced by Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu on Sunday. 

Najib was speaking to reporters after chairing the Cabinet committee meeting on local government here yesterday. 

Samy Vellu had said Malaysians could expect a 10% increase in toll rates, with eight concessionaires raising their charges from Jan 1 next year. 

At a different function, Samy Vellu said his ministry was trying to work out a "win-win" increase in charges for eight tolls due for revision in January. 

He said he wants to devise a mechanism where motorists would not feel too much pain but at the same time, prevent the toll concessionaires from losing money. 

"We are studying and talking to the concessionaires to find out ways to benefit both sides. We want to find a way in which the people will not feel too much burden. In Malaysia, the most sensitive thing is toll," said Samy Vellu. 

Samy Vellu said a thorough study would be done and the completed working paper would be submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib. 

"We will only announce the new rates once it is approved by the Cabinet," he said after launching the festive season road safety campaign from Oct 7-20 at the Sungai Buloh rest and recreation area. 

Should the Cabinet still not give their approval by January when the eight toll rates were up for revision, Samy Vellu said the current charges would apply. 

"If there is no Cabinet approval by then, we have to pay compensation to the toll concessionaires," he said.